Robots are expected to revolutionise the world's economy and society over the next twenty years but getting the best out of human-robot collaboration requires an understanding of how humans interact with and develop trust in robots. Alongside relatively simple applications such as robot cleaners, advances in AI means robots will be more widely deployed and with previously unimaginable levels of interaction with humans. This course is unique in its focus on human aspects of collaborating with robots to maximise the potential for acceptance in society and the workplace. The Human Robot Interaction (HRI) and Trust course aims to develop knowledge and skills about the role HRI and the development of trust in robots for natural, productive, and comfortable contact.

 

On day 1. You will learn about cognitive psychology, mental models and expectation for the behaviour of robots and how robots fit into teams. Real-world examples of HRI using a physical robotic platform in the classroom will illustrate the HRI design in practise. On day 2, the evidence relating to the predictors of trust in robots, how trust is lost and how to repair trust promotes critical thinking. By the end of this course, delegates will gain practical insights into HRI for the development of trust in robots.

 

Designed for professionals in tech, public policy, and academia, this course blends theory and practical application to evaluate HRI and trust in robots.

At a glance

Course structure

This two-day course is presented through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and discussions of case studies. Active participation from the delegates is strongly encouraged. All delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion.

What you will learn

On completion of this course, delegates will be able to:

 

  • Understand how humans perceive robots
  • Evaluate the role of attention and cognitive load in interaction with robots
  • Analyse decision-making errors and mismatched expectations on HRI and trust
  • Understand how people form mental models of robots
  • Examine how robots fit into human teams
  • Debate different aspects of trust and trustworthiness
  • Evaluate the predictors of trust in robots.
  • Examine how trust in robots is lost and how to repair trust.
  • Debate real-world examples of HRI design

Core content

The course material includes the following:

 

  • Human perception, attention and cognitive load in HRI

  • Mental models and expectation of robots, mismatched expectations, decision-making errors, emotions and biases in interaction with robots

  • Social psychology in HRI and why transparency, reliability, consistency matters.
  • Social presence and cooperation in mixed human-robot teams
  • The Psychology of Trust and measurement of trust
  • Over-reliance on robots and human error
  • The main predictors of trust in robots

  • Behavioural adaptation in the face of errors and uncontrolled environments
  • Repairing trust in robots

Who should attend

This course is suitable for a range of professionals including those with a technical, health and safety, human resources or public policy background as well as academics and researchers interested in the implications of robot safety and trust.

Speakers

The course is presented through lectures and workshops conducted by members of Cranfield University’s staff all of whom have considerable academic and industrial experience.

Concessions

 

Accommodation options and prices

 

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0AL

How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Apply now

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.