Investigating Opportunities for Active Smart Assistants to Initiate Interactions With Users

Abstract

Passive voice assistants such as Alexa are widespread, responding to user requests. However, due to the rise of domestic robots, we envision active smart assistants initiating interactions seamlessly, weaving themselves into the user’s context, and enabling more suitable interaction. While robots already deliver the hardware, only recently have the advancements in artificial intelligence enabled assistants to grasp the human and the environments to support such visions. We combined hardware with artificial intelligence to build an attentive robot. Here, we present a robotic head prototype discovering and following the users in a room supported by video and sound. We contribute (1) the design and implementation of a prototype system for an active smart assistant and (2) a discussion on design principles for systems engaging in human conversations. This work aims to provide foundations for future research for active smart assistants.