Processing

Communicating background activity | Composed | General Communication

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Preamble

Type

Composed Pattern, Communicating background activity

Ranking

* (tentative)

Version

1

Author

Kathrin Pollmann (kathrin.pollmann@iao.fraunhofer.de)

Design Challenge

Interaction Situation

The user has provided some information to the robot. The robot indicates that it has perceived that information, but does not respond right away with a consecutive action, as it needs a few seconds to process the user’s input. Although computer systems are usually able to respond instantly to user input, this might not be perceived as a natural conversation. Also, sometimes the processing of the input needs some extra time. This response delay needs to be clearly indicated by the robot, so that the user understands that their input was perceived by the robot

Communication
Goal

„I am processing what I just learned from you. This will take some time – I will tell you when I am ready.”

Design Solution

Solution

Let the robot express that:
  • It is focused on internal processing through a body posture that is averted from the user. (Inside turn)
  • It is in the process of processing/ loading some information through a light animation or movement. (Loading animation)
  • Its operation mode is , setting the status light to permanently glowing. (Operation mode on)

    • Rationale

    To indicate that it is processing information, the robot needs to execute two sub-actions: Indicating that the attention is focused on inside processing and the progress of this internal processing. In human-human interaction, this is often indicated by pausing the conversation, staring into space, turning away, or taking a step back. In HRI, similar signals can be used and complemented with design solutions that indicate progress of information processing, e.g. a progress bar or loading spinner. Further details about these two sub-actions can be found in the descriptions of the Atomic Patterns “Inside turn” and “Loading animation”.

    References and
    Context

    Needs: Inside turn AND Loading animation AND Operation mode on

    Opposed patterns: all other composed patterns – two composed patterns can never be executed at the same time

    Light

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