User Requirement Analysis for Voice and Gesture Interactions with Delivery Robots: An Interview Study

Abstract: Urban mobility is rapidly changing. While increasing delivery volumes, traffic congestion, and a demand to reduce mobility-induced emissions challenge inner-city logistics, emerging technologies such as automated delivery robots might offer relief. Here, various interaction concepts are conceivable to ensure safe navigation and smooth communication with them.This study qualitatively examines user requirements and prevailing user perceptions of two communication modalities (voice interface and gesture interface) for interacting with delivery robots.We conducted 24 scenario-based interviews. Each interview included a part in which participants actively tried voice or gesture commands for operating the delivery robots. The practice part was intended to ensure that all participants get as realistic a sense as possible of how interactions might feel so that the discussion of requirements was not purely based on potentially flawed imaginations. Results were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and revealed universal barriers (e.g., ambiguousness of inputs) and differences regarding the two modes (e.g., privacy concerns).

Keywords: Human-machine-interaction, interview study, voice interaction, gesture interaction, delivery robots, micro-vehicles

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005246

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