Project: Breakbot: A social motivator for the workplace
Purpose: Final project for Dr. Selma Šabanović's Human Robot Interaction class.
Team: Sarah Reeder | Lorelei Kelly | Bobak Kechavarzi | Selma Šabanović
Duration: 6 weeks
Completed: May 2010
Methods: Arduino prototyping, interviews, surveys, diary study
Paper [ACM digital library]

This group project involved designing and implementing a research study relating to human robot interaction. We chose to focus on the problem space of computer use over extended periods of time and designed a creature like robot based on our findings from conducting interviews and surveys about computer use and break-taking. The project resulted in a 4-page short paper, which was presented at Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) 2010, in Aarhus, Denmark. In a future iteration of this design, we implement a prototype we call "Dewey" to study reactions to an embodied break-reminder system.

Abstract:

Workplace injuries commonly result from long periods of inactivity during computer use. Software exists to help remind people to take breaks but is often ineffective. On the basis of design research performed in an office environment, we propose an emotionally expressive companion robot to encourage employees to take breaks and socialize more regularly. Initial reactions to our design were positive, and encourage further investigation.