ROB 204: Introduction to Human-Robot Systems

The objective of ROB 204 is to introduce students in Engineering to factors that influence the design of robotic systems from the perspective of the human user. Robots are designed to achieve many different tasks across many different discipline areas. Understanding the ways in which a person can interact with a robotic system can create a more usable and useful robot. Considering the potential users and evaluating different interaction modalities is part of the socially-engaged design process and can lead to the development of human-centered design requirements. 

This foundation in human-robot systems covers identifying and describing how human capabilities and behaviors inform robotic design. We survey theories, methods, and findings from relevant domains (e.g., cognitive/physical ergonomics, psychology, human-centered design), with attention to how these concepts influence robotic systems and design within development teams

ROB 204 also ties itself to the Robotics Pathways threaded curricular model and is a pre-requisite for the ROB 300 level courses. ROB 204 also consists of Technical Communications credit and will continue to work on the development of written and oral communication skills.