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From industrial exoskeletons to implantable medical devices, robots that interact closely with people are poised to improve every aspect of our lives. Yet designing these systems is very challenging; humans are incredibly complex and, in many cases, we respond to robotic devices in ways that cannot be modelled or predicted with sufficient accuracy. A new approach, human-in-the-loop optimization, can overcome these challenges by systematically and empirically identifying the device characteristics that result in the best objective performance for a specific user and application. This approach has enabled substantial improvements in human–robot performance in research settings and has the potential to speed development and enhance products. In this Perspective, we describe methods for applying human-in-the-loop optimization to new human–robot interaction problems, addressing each key decision in a variety of contexts. We also identify opportunities to develop new optimization techniques and answer underlying scientific questions. We anticipate that our readers will advance human-in-the-loop optimization and use it to design robotic devices that truly enhance the human experience.A new approach to designing robotic systems that interact closely with people, called human-in-the-loop optimization, can improve human–robot interaction, but many important research questions remain before it can reach its full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In navigation applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve efficiency and decision making. It is not clear, however, how designers should account for human cooperation when integrating AI systems in navigation work. In a novel empirical study, we examine the transition in the maritime domain towards higher levels of machine autonomy. Our method involved interviewing technology designers (n = 9) and navigators aboard two partially automated ferries (n = 5), as well as collecting field observations aboard one of the ferries. The results indicated a discrepancy between how designers construed human-AI collaboration compared to navigators' own accounts in the field. Navigators reflected upon their role as one of 'backup,' defined by ad-hoc control takeovers from the automation. Designers positioned navigators 'in the loop' of a larger control system but discounted the role of in-situ skills and heuristic decision making in all but the most controlled takeover actions. The discrepancy shed light on how integration of AI systems may be better aligned to human cooperation in navigation. This included designing AI systems that render computational activities more visible and that incorporate social cues that articulate human work in its natural setting. Positioned within the field of AI alignment research, the main contribution is a formulation of human-AI interaction design insights for future navigation and control room work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurship research would benefit from a mechanism gathering activity data from a large number of entrepreneurial initiatives. This paper starts by building on Zott and Amit's activity system perspective to introduce a holistic activity model of entrepreneurship containing seven steps and 29 elements. This model has been used by 13,927 entrepreneurial projects between the years of 2015 to 2022. By applying a digital, non-participant observation method, this led to the development of a dataset containing information on 935,745 activities. We use three concrete research cases to exemplify how this model, method and dataset can be utilized for bringing research on entrepreneurial activities forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how to investigate the human element in a control room setting in terms of situational settings (monitoring and active control) and mental state (workload and affect). We show an explorative experiment in a ship bridge simulator context to investigate measurement practices and uncover correlations between mental state and changes in physiology. 31 participants from an engineering student population participated in the experiment. Data were collected from two scenarios through surveys (workload and affect) and physiology sensors (electrocardiography and electrodermal activity). We highlight the following findings from our experiment: One, there is a significant difference in variables measuring mental and physiological states between two regularly occurring scenarios in the context of large ship navigation. With changes in mental and physiological states, the capacity and reaction pattern of users change, so there are different demands of the user interface and system behavior. Two, elements of mental state are correlated with changes in physiological state. Most prominently, stress and workload covary with electrodermal activity and elements of heart rate variability. This finding can support designers in evaluating different solutions by enabling them to assess changes in the mental state of users working in control rooms through physiology sensor data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new additive manufacturing (AM) process based on extrusion and solid-state bonding is presented. The process uses metal feedstock wire which is processed in a continuous rotary extruder in order to disperse the surface oxides of the feedstock and to provide the required bonding pressure. Simultaneously, the die outlet is scraping the contact surface to provide an oxide-free interface between the extrudate and the substrate. Optical analyses of samples from a layered structure produced from AA6082 reveal that the stringers are fully merged; however, some voids and cracks are observed between the individual stringers. Still, this initial demonstration indicates that the process, upon further development, has high potential of producing near-net-shape parts at high deposition rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the theoretical and practical fundamentals of using physiology sensors to capture human emotion reactivity in a products or systems engineering context. We aim to underline the complexity of regulating (internal and external) effects on the human body and highly individual physiological (emotion) responses and provide a starting point for engineering researchers entering the field. Although great advances have been made in scenarios involving human-machine interactions, the critical elements-the actions and responses of the human-remain far beyond automatic control, because of the irrational behavior of human subjects. These (re)actions, which cannot be satisfactorily modeled, stem mostly from the fact that human behavior is regulated by emotions. The physiological measurement of the latter can thus be a potential door to future advances for the community. In this paper, following a brief overview of the foundations and ongoing discussions in psychology and neuroscience, various emotion-related physiological responses are explained on the basis of a systematic review of the autonomic nervous system and its regulation of the human body. Based on sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system responses, various sensor measurements that are relevant in an engineering context, such as electrocardiography, electroencephalography, electromyography, pulse oximetry, blood pressure measurements, respiratory transducer, body temperature measurements, galvanic skin response measurements, and others, are explained. After providing an overview of ongoing engineering and human-computer interaction projects, we discuss engineering-specific challenges and experiment setups in terms of their usability and appropriateness for data analysis. We identify current limitations associated with the use of physiology sensors and discuss developments in this area, such as software-based facial affect coding and near-infrared spectroscopy. The key to truly understanding user experience and designing systems and products that integrate emotional states dynamically lies in understanding and measuring physiology. This paper serves as a call for the advancement of affective engineering research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores, in the context of semi-autonomous driving, how the content of the verbalized message accompanying the car's autonomous action affects the driver's attitude and safety performance. Using a driving simulator with an auto-braking function, we tested different messages that provided advance explanation of the car's imminent autonomous action. Messages providing only 'how' information describing actions (e.g., 'The car is braking') led to poor driving performance, whereas 'why' information describing reasoning for actions (e.g., 'Obstacle ahead') was preferred by drivers and led to better driving performance. Providing both 'how and why' resulted in the safest driving performance but increased negative feelings in drivers. These results suggest that, to increase overall safety, car makers need to attend not only to the design of autonomous actions but also to the right way to explain these actions to the drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, the penetration of interactive voice response systems (IVRs) is described as being very high especially among large companies. The paper at hand discusses the use and adoption rate of such systems among companies, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The study conducted shows that the penetration of IVRs is far lower (about 12%) than initially thought. The main reason stated for this low penetration level seems to be the incompatibility of the company's business model with an automated telephone answering system. However, the evaluation of results gave evidence that this reason serves as a pretext only and that the real reason(s) for not adopting an interactive voice response system might be far more complicated and profound. It is supposed that the negative historic perception of automated speech system still prevails and that IVR providers and sellers have failed to communicate the system's progress as well as its benefits and its numerous areas of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the key findings of a workshop titled "Mobile Business in Air Travel." This workshop has aimed to examine how mobile technologies will change the way of travel. On this occasion, 18 international experts from the aviation and ICT industry met in Schadau Castle, Thun (Switzerland) to discuss the topic in four consecutive sessions. Based on a distinctive qualitative research design, the moderated workshop explored this new field of research and identified trends and scenarios that suggest the way the aviation industry, air travel, and mobile society are going to develop. The findings provide a basis for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports of decreased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and altered bone metabolism associated with antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment are inconsistent and predominantly restricted to adults. In this cross-sectional observational study, the aim was to evaluate the influence of AED treatment on vitamin D status and markers of bone turnover in children with epilepsy. In 38 children taking AEDs and 44 healthy control subjects, blood samples were collected to determine the levels of serum 25-OHD, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC) and C terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP). More than 75% of the patients were vitamin D deficient (serum 25-OHD<20 ng/mL) and 21% of the patients had an insufficient vitamin D status (serum 25-OHD=20-30 ng/mL). In the patients, the serum levels of OC (p = 0.002) and BAP (p < 0.001) were significantly increased, but ICTP (p = 0.002) concentrations were significantly decreased compared with the control group. When patients where divided into two groups according to their medication (mono- or polytherapy), significantly lower 25-OHD (p = 0.038) and ICTP (p = 0.005) levels and elevated BAP (p = 0.023) concentrations were found in patients under polytherapy. An association between 25-OHD and the measured bone markers could not be determined. Our results indicate that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in epilepsy patients under AED treatment is high, especially under polytherapy, and alteration markers of bone formation and resorption suggests an accelerated skeletal turnover. The routine monitoring of serum 25-OHD and vitamin D supplementation on an individual basis should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]