PhD position on Improvising Robots for Careful interaction: shaping HRI design through theatre

Job description

The Dramaturgy for Devices project aims at crafting sustained relationships with robots and other smart technologies. It will explore the value of the performing arts as a motor for innovation and reflection in a high-tech society and demonstrate how collaboration with the performing arts can be a game changer regarding the development of the behaviour of and interaction with robots and other technological agents.

The objective of this PhD-project is to develop methods, tools and technology based on, inspired by and taken from the theatre ecosystem and theatre technology, and use this to set up experiments and simulation in HRI. We take several 'wicked' or complex problems from a developer of robots for healthcare (Heemskerk Innovation Technologies), related to social coordination such as hallway passing or handing over objects. During the experiments, we will initially work with 'improvotypes' of the intended hardware. As verification of our simulation results, we intend to apply the gained insights on a real platform and perform a study with real users in a realistic setting.

The main focal point for this study will be gaining insight into:

•   Embodiment - How does the embodiment of the robot (exterior design choices) influence perception, expectation and operation in social space? Where does ‘function defines form’ end and do we need to ‘dress to impress’? How can embodiment be made to change over time?

•   Motion - How is the motion of a robot interpreted (accurately) by users? Can the intentions or goal of a robot be judged well enough based on functional, task-oriented programming and where should we apply theatrical knowledge of motion (Laban efforts, etc.) to make motions comprehensible?

•   Interaction - What is the effect of a ‘daily’ routine, where are ‘hooks’ for sustainability and long-term interaction, when does the 1:1 interaction stop being a solo performance in front of a user, but does it become a ‘pas-de-deux’ instead?

The candidate will investigate technologies and methods to experiment and prototype human-robot interaction in the context of healthcare. The project will aim to develop:

a) a toolbox for improvotypes: technology, best practices and guiding principles for the use of adaptable robot technology in a theatrical context supporting live, real-time multimodal control (motion, sound, speech, dialogue)

b) the setup of a theatrical environment for interaction simulation: methods for staging, observing and validating staged interaction with robots.

c) user studies to validate and confirm theatrical simulation results. The gap analysis to find the connection and deviation between the proposed simulation and real-world.

Your profile

• Master degree in Interaction Design or Human-Robot Interaction or related field at least with a strong affinity for Robotics, HRI and social interaction combining a solid understanding of the underlying AI technology and human-centred approaches;
• Excellent skills in programming and (embedded) hardware design
• Willingness to step outside their own discipline to solve complex problems that cut across bodies of knowledge in different fields, and to cooperate with e.g. actors, dramaturgy experts and theatre directors
• A good team spirit and willingness to collaborate across institutions and be actively involved in the larger project consortium;

Our offer

• As a PhD researcher at the University of Twente, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within a very stimulating scientific environment.
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues;
• Salary and conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• You will receive a salary ranging from €2.770,- gross per month at the start and up to €3.539,- in the fourth year.
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8,3%, a solid pension scheme and health care benefits
• 29 to 41 leave days per year in case of full-time employment
• Excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities
• A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid)

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button before 21 January 2024. Please include in your application:

• A short motivation letter
• Your resume
• A 1-page statement about your previous research.

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you are welcome to contact Dr. ir. Edwin Dertien (Assistant Professor) via e.dertien@utwente.nl.

This job opening is one of several job openings. You can find more information about the project here. Note: You can apply to more than just this one. If you do so, please inform the Project Manager via email of the projects you are applying to.

Applications received by e-mail only will not be processed

About the department

You will work in the Robotics and Mechatronics group (RaM) chaired by Prof. dr. Stefano Stramigioli. This is a world-renowned lab specialising in the development of robotic hardware, simulation and control. The lab is part of the Robotics Centre ecosystem at UT, closely collaborating with the Human Media Interaction group (HMI) and the DesignLab

The candidate will be supervised jointly by Dr. Ir. Edwin Dertien (University of Twente), Prof. Dr. Koen Hindriks (Social AI group, VU Amsterdam), Dr. Mike Ligthart (Social AI group, VU Amsterdam), and Prof. Dr. Maaike Bleeker (University of Utrecht) The position is embedded in the NWA Dramaturgy for Devices project, hence adaptivity to work in a heterogeneous team and consortium, creativity and interest in multi-disciplinary research are fundamental. The candidate will be mainly based at the University of Twente, Enschede but will be expected to actively collaborate with the other PhD projects that are part of Dramaturgy for Devices.

About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.