A method to evaluate intuitive sense by using a robotic tool: Towards engineering for assistive technology and accessibility

Abstract

The evaluation of subjective feelings of discomfort is a serious problem in the field of ergonomics, environment engineering and human-robot interactions. It is difficult to measure them by using objective quantifications in a traditional sense. We have hypothesized that the unpleasant feeling emerges caused by deviating from the autonomy, which exists in the perception-action cycle, the convective flow in two layers of intuition and perception and continuity in the dialogue. The present paper discusses the issue with respect to two examples; an unexpected breaking of balance in the trained motion and irritation at the lack of progress by discontinuity in the dialogue, and attempts to build a theoretical framework to detect a deviation from ongoing autonomy. This paper discusses a way of the theoretical modeling and explores possible implementations into the robotic experiment that reproduces human behaviors in need of supervision by the central nervous system. This preliminary report can contribute to an extension of the coupling between the central and peripheral nervous systems to social communications which is supported by assistive technologies and accessibility improvements.