Robject: Embodied Robotics for Enhanced Domestic Interaction

This paper explores the concept of a ’robotic object’ (robject), where robotic capabilities are integrated into everyday items to improve human-robot interaction in the home. It argues that this approach leverages the inherent affordances of familiar objects, leading to more intuitive and acceptable robotic assistance. The design and evaluation of the ’ranger robot,’ an example of a robject in a family setting, are presented. The research emphasizes a holistic view of the domestic environment, considering the interplay of people, objects, activities, and interactions to achieve seamless integration.