Madrid, Spain, September 30th - October 2nd, 202517th International Conference on Quality of Multimedia Experience

SS1: Advancing QoE and UX in Teleoperation Interfaces for Intelligent Machines and Robotics

Description

Teleoperation, the remote control of machines by human operators, offers immense value across many applications by extending our reach into environments that are difficult to access. Interfaces for teleoperation need not only to support the control of the machinery, but also to convey to their user what is happening in the remote environment where the machine is operating.

The scope of teleoperation spans a wide range of technologies, from intelligent machines equipped with AI and advanced automation, to semi-autonomous or manually operated robots. Examples include vehicles, drones, and robots commonly used for remote inspection, operation of industrial machinery, or work in high-risk environments. We also see the growing use of telepresence robots, i.e., robots used to support communication and collaboration, which have allowed professionals to reach underserved communities and enabled people with disabilities to participate in work and leisure activities remotely. Such technologies allow us to deploy skills where they are most needed, and participate in a broader range of activities, whilst enhancing safety and reducing travel-related carbon emissions.

Research into visual interfaces for teleoperation systems, including Head-Up Displays (HUDs), augmented visuals, and addressing visual degradation in Camera Monitor Systems (CMS), offer valuable insights. Adapted from intelligent vehicle studies, these technologies can enhance teleoperation by improving situational awareness, reducing cognitive load, and boosting task performance, paving the way for more effective interfaces.
The space of QoMEX can spearhead holistic and critical examinations of teleoperation. As such, we invite studies on understanding and improving the UX and QoE of teleoperation interfaces, identifying critical requirements and appropriate metrics or presenting solutions to known problems (such as latency). We also welcome studies exploring additional modalities (such as Augmented Reality), as well as research on the social components of teleoperation, such as on modalities for effective communication.

In addition, technological advancements and the social acceptance of remote work might see more people in the future expected to use teleoperation. Research in the area should consider how accessible this technology is to a broad user base. Are interfaces intuitive for people with varying skills and technological expertise? What assumptions are being made about the users’ physical abilities? Are the systems affordable and scalable for widespread use? We would also highly value work considering energy efficiency issues, such as identifying the minimum fidelity requirements for different tasks and interaction modalities. Exploring these issues helps us understand not only who can benefit from teleoperation but also what barriers might exist that could limit its broader application.

Finally, we welcome work on teleoperation that expands the scope of standard QoE evaluations and explores qualitative and psychological aspects of use, such as cognitive load, comfort, and feelings of safety and trust.
Within our Special Session, we also wish to include a presentation from invited speakers from the IEEE Telepresence Initiative (https://telepresence.ieee.org), who have also agreed to contribute as technical sponsors. We have confirmed this with the co-chairs of the initiative, Tiago Falk and Jan van Erp, and the program manager Dave Magnoni.

Topics of Interest

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • UX, Usability, and QoE evaluations of driver/operator interfaces in teleoperation for robotics, intelligent machines, and vehicles.
  • Teleoperation interface design for robotics, intelligent machines and vehicles.
  • Designing interfaces for collaborative robotics (e.g., co-working with intelligent machines).
  • Identification of critical requirements for usability and QoE of teleoperation interfaces.
  • Discussions of interesting problems in teleoperation interfaces.
  • Accessible design and evaluation of teleoperation interfaces.
  • Considerations/solutions for energy efficiency and scalability.
  • Explorations of Extended Reality/Augmented Reality implementations.
  • Explorations on the impact of automation and AI in teleoperation interfaces.
  • Development of task-specific QoE and UX metrics for teleoperation and driving systems.
  • Evaluations of cognitive load, distraction, or other relevant metrics.
  • Evaluations of psychological and qualitative aspects of use, such as sense of safety, comfort, trust, and satisfaction.

Organizers