NeuroDesign in Human-Robot Interaction: The making of engaging HRI technology your brain can’t resist

Humans are a complex species with delicate biological embodiments, and sophisticated consciousness and brain information processing abilities. As a consequence, any technology interacting with humans is intrinsically complex. It requires us to use a more multidisciplinary approach to solve the problems from a holistic point of view, especially in the context of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). There are some barriers to applying robotic technologies to assist humans in our daily environment: The current robots interacting with humans don't understand personalized intents, attentions, specific needs, or emotions to serve people appropriately in different contexts. The design of interactive robot behaviors doesn’t adhere to human intuition, user expectations, or social norms, such that people have a hard time interpreting the objectives of robots. In addition, current robots and humans don't have a mutual understanding of performing coordinated, co-adaptive joint actions in close contact, proximity, or teleoperated spaces. In particular, the human-machine interfaces are not ergonomically designed. The software AI algorithms or the embodied intelligence in mechanisms used within applications lack the cognitive smoothness for the people to interact with. As a result, all these factors impede humans and machines from communicating naturally and effortlessly.

This Research Topic is open to collecting translational research surrounding the critical issue of transforming HRI-related lab research into practical applications. It focuses on neuroscience and behavioral psychology principles and/or approaches, such that the designed human-robot interaction strategies would be highly attractive and engaging and comply with our brain’s neural perception and cognitive processes, and therefore overcome the barriers of social adoptions of using robots in every corner of our society.

The NeuroDesign lies at the intersection of applied neuroscience, cognitive science, and psychology, in conjunction with machine learning and design thinking methodologies, to produce better user experience and engagement in HRI. This Research Topic will invite paper submissions from the latest advancement of HRI and Neuro/Brain-technology research to design thinking and brain-centric product development, as well as the implementation strategies specifically tailored to the HRI & Neurotech products to solve real-world problems.

This Research Topic invites contributions on subjects including, but not limited to, the following:
• Applying neuroscience research tools such as fMRI, EEG, and fNIRS to understand the brain functions underlying specific HRI strategy, and how design thinking could help us modify the interaction dynamics between the brain and machines
• Utilizing insights gained from the iterative developmental process to help us design better human, brain, and machine input/output (I/O) interfaces that could merge human and robot symbiotically in a closed-loop system
• Design of invasive or non-invasive interfaces by using smart wearables, exoskeleton robots, or implant devices to observe brainwave, physiological signals, and/or mechanical movement of the human body
• Electrical-magnetic neurofeedback devices (tDCS, tMS, NMES, etc.), stimulating the brain or muscular peripheral nerves in order to regulate the human emotional and behavioral states
• Hardware and software co-design that weaves the optimal machine learning/AI algorithms into the fabric of better user experience (especially the best brain-centered experience in perception and cognition)

This Research Topic collects the outputs from two workshops. Workshop contributions previously published as conference proceedings should be extended with 30% original content.

Firstly the upcoming IEEE ICRA 2024 workshop on “NeuroDesign in Human-Robot Interaction: The making of engaging HRI technology your brain can’t resist” focuses on applying Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioral Psychology, AI and Design to transform laboratory HRI research into practical applications, aiming to design human-robot interactions that are compelling, human-centered and brain-friendly to enhance social acceptance of robots in society.

Secondly, the previously held NeuroWearX: Amplifying Digital Healthcare with Neurodesign in Wearable Robotics" is a workshop that explores the integration of neurodesign principles in wearable robotics to enhance digital healthcare, featuring discussions with domain experts on optimizing device comfort, intuitiveness, and seamless body-mind integration.