Using gesture-based interfaces to control robots

Abstract

This paper analyzes human-robot interaction (HRI) to evaluate whether the use of a gesture-based interface is viable for robot control. An experiment was conducted with 19 volunteers. Using a body tracking device, they had to perform gestural commands to remotely control a mobile robot and complete a path marked on the floor. After the experiment, volunteers answered a questionnaire assessing aspects such as system’s responsiveness, precision, and triggers to possible physical and psychological discomforts. The results achieved validated the research aim partially, as it was determined that this control method is viable but only for short-term operations, pointing a necessity to create a more suitable control, less prone to cause user fatigue during long-term use. The developed system was designed not only for the analysis of HRI factors, but also for applications in remote operation contexts, such as industrial maintenance and exploration of inhospitable environments.