Ching Yao Su
  1. EchoBot
  2. PANDA
  3. Oyster 3D printer
  4. Better
  5. Procean
  6. Hando
  7. Sketch & Interest
About
EchoBot

Categort: Companion Robot, Human Robot Interaction, User Experience, Storytelling
Role: Mechatronics Engineering, Software Engineering
Present: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Thesis: ≪Exploring Digital Preservation Interaction with Robotic Puppet & Digital Interface: Asynchronous System Implementation and Parent-Child Interaction Evaluation≫
 How can a robotic character enhance personal memory and help us remember those who have passed away?

This question was the starting point of our research. Many people have companion puppets from their childhood—objects that serve not merely as toys but as emotional partners providing comfort, imagination, and support. These puppets become meaningful through our interactions with family and loved ones. However, as we grow older, such memories fade, and sometimes the people tied to those moments are no longer with us.

This project explores how robotics can preserve and re-embody those shared experiences. We present EchoBot, a companion robot designed to enhance character expression through both audio and tangible interaction within the context of parent-child storytelling. The system allows users to record narration and corresponding puppet movements, capturing tacit information such as personality and behavioral traits in both digital and physical forms. Later, the robot can replay and reinterpret these recordings asynchronously—allowing past interactions to re-emerge in the future.

Our research has two primary goals:
  1. To design an intuitive interface that preserves character interaction through natural physical and vocal expression.
  2. To explore the integration of physical robots and virtual characters as a means of enhancing emotional communication and expanding the potential of daily companionship with robots.

July 2024

















Developement

Mechanism 3D CAD

Digital twin binding

Demo


Prototype process

Experiment
We developed two methods for interacting with the digital character to enhance digital preservation: trigger-based animation (Left) and motion synchronization (Right). In the parent–child interaction context, motion synchronization aligns more closely with the natural way we manipulate and communicate through physical puppetry, compared to the more discrete and pre-defined trigger-based animation approach.

Previous testing version
Before the proposed version, we prototype a wired one with record and replay capability robot. The robot with capability to preserve interaction can broaden how people interact with it.
 

Prototyping process


Credit

Software Engineering: Ching-Yao Su, Tzu-Hsun, Tseng

Prototyping Engineering: Ching-Yao Su

Video: Ching-Yao, Su

Mentors: Michael Lin, Chun Cheng Hsu

Technical Support: City Science Lab@Taipei Tech
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