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Design and Evaluation of an XML-Based Language for Programming Socially Assistive Robots.

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Title: Design and Evaluation of an XML-Based Language for Programming Socially Assistive Robots.
Authors: Rocha, Marcelo Marques da1 (AUTHOR) marcelo_rocha@midiacom.uff.br, Favela, Jesus2 (AUTHOR) favela@cicese.mx, Muchaluat-Saade, Débora C.1 (AUTHOR) debora@midiacom.uff.br
Source: International Journal of Social Robotics. Jul2025, Vol. 17 Issue 7, p1305-1333. 29p.
Subjects: XML (Extensible Markup Language), Domain-specific programming languages, Assistive technology, Evaluation methodology, Educational technology, Cognitive ability, Social robots
Abstract: Robotic technologies have not only been used in factories, but increasingly in various environments in people's daily lives. Robots are used as assistive devices and through interaction with these devices it is possible to expand the physical and cognitive capabilities of humans. A new class of robots, Socially Assistive Robots (SARs), arises from the intersection of two other classes, assistive robots, which provide assistance, usually in healthcare settings, and interactive social robots, that communicate with the user. This work proposes an XML-based domain specific language (DSL) to facilitate the specification of interactive sessions for SARs. The proposed language is called EvaML and was designed for an open-source robotics platform. Although firstly implemented and used with EVA, EvaML can also be used with other SARs with similar communication affordances. To evaluate the EvaML language, an experiment was conducted with 12 software developers. Participants assessed EvaML with regards to clarity, effectiveness, perceived ease of use and usability according to 9 cognitive dimensions of the CDN framework (Cognitive Dimensions of Notations). EvaML was also successfully used by another group of 12 high school students and teachers in a series of activities where they designed and implemented interactive educational applications for EVA. Results indicate that EvaML is perceived as easy to use and usable, making it an adequate tool to enact interaction designs for a SAR platform considering different user profiles and levels of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Robotic technologies have not only been used in factories, but increasingly in various environments in people's daily lives. Robots are used as assistive devices and through interaction with these devices it is possible to expand the physical and cognitive capabilities of humans. A new class of robots, Socially Assistive Robots (SARs), arises from the intersection of two other classes, assistive robots, which provide assistance, usually in healthcare settings, and interactive social robots, that communicate with the user. This work proposes an XML-based domain specific language (DSL) to facilitate the specification of interactive sessions for SARs. The proposed language is called EvaML and was designed for an open-source robotics platform. Although firstly implemented and used with EVA, EvaML can also be used with other SARs with similar communication affordances. To evaluate the EvaML language, an experiment was conducted with 12 software developers. Participants assessed EvaML with regards to clarity, effectiveness, perceived ease of use and usability according to 9 cognitive dimensions of the CDN framework (Cognitive Dimensions of Notations). EvaML was also successfully used by another group of 12 high school students and teachers in a series of activities where they designed and implemented interactive educational applications for EVA. Results indicate that EvaML is perceived as easy to use and usable, making it an adequate tool to enact interaction designs for a SAR platform considering different user profiles and levels of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:18754791
DOI:10.1007/s12369-025-01254-1