User studies in human-robot interaction and social robotics in general involve human participants and their reactions, observations and expectations of robots. This thesis presents two innovative experimental methods aimed at gaining access to high-stakes social data not typically collectable with traditional user studies. The Actor Method provides access to data...
This thesis seeks to make developing multi-robot comedy performances more accessible to developers and performers, and suggests the use of duo comedy for robot-run research experiments. It involved four main steps: technology development, experimental deployments in the general public, the development of the Multi-Robot Comedy Performance System, and an analysis...
This thesis follows two studies performed with simple robots. The first follows a robot interacting with eight improvisers to create scenes and perform five isolated gestures (towards, away, sideways, spin, and circle) for interpretation. The second follows a group of three robots performing the same five isolated gestures at two...
Expressive motion has been found to be a highly effective tool in communicating intent and motivation in single robot human-robot interaction, but work in exploring how groups of robots can use motion in interactions with humans is relatively nascent. There are many additional complexities to consider expanding from single robot...
Anthropomorphism is described as the human tendency to see human-like shapes in the environment and robots have the potential to be anthropomorphized. However, it is unclear if anthropomorphic robots are effective in human-robot interactions (HRI). Using the context of hand sanitizer service as an application, this work assessed whether a...
A chair, once placed, will stay put until moved. Or will it? With the rise of technology being embeddable into everyday objects, what if that chair could move itself? Such robotic furniture has been featured in advertisements, art, and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research. Existing methods for operating robotic furniture have...
This dissertation focuses on science relevant to the design and implementation of marine reserves. The chapters explore a range of topics related to among-site variation in population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. My results demonstrate the value and feasibility of integrating this knowledge into more comprehensive conservation and management approaches. While...
As a key factor contributing to slope stability, in-stream habitat for aquatic species (e.g., salmonids), nutrient cycling, and corridors for upland species, riparian vegetation and its maintenance is of critical conservation importance. Subsequently, the chronic degradation of aquatic and riparian ecosystems in the semi-arid and arid landscapes of the western...
Studies were directed toward the formulation of a selective
Aeromonas medium that would permit the isolation of Aeromonas
species in the presence of other common bacterial flora. The final
composition of this medium, PBG Agar, in grams per liter, is:
Bacto-peptone, 10; Bacto-beef extract, 10; glycogen, 4; NaCl, 5;
sodium...