Educating the Next Generation of Human-Centered Engineers through Human-Robot Interaction

As robots increasingly move into human-centred spaces such as hospitals, classrooms, and homes, aspiring roboticists and engineers must understand how to design and develop systems that work effectively with and for people. Human-robot interaction (HRI) asks engineers to prioritize sociotechnical questions when approaching technical problems. For instance, when navigating from point A to point B, how can a robot guarantee the safety of its human teammates? How might its behaviour affect human trust? How can it be designed so people will actually want to use it?

This webinar explores how incorporating HRI can help prepare the next generation of human-centred engineers. Drawing on the design and implementation of a project-driven HRI course using QBot Platforms, this webinar introduces the interdisciplinary foundations of HRI and its role in robotics and engineering education; shares approaches for designing, implementing, and managing hands-on HRI learning experiences; examines the course’s impact on student learning and connections to a broader Electrical and Computer Engineering M.S. program; and offers practical strategies for educators interested in bringing HRI concepts to their own courses and curricula.