The Roomba mood ring: An ambient-display robot

We present a robot augmented with an ambient display that communicates using a multi-color halo. We use this robot in a public café-style setting where people vote on which colors the robot will display: we ask people to select a color which “best represents their mood.” People can vote from a mobile device (e.g., smart phone or laptop) through a web interface. Thus, the robot's display is an abstract aggregate of the current mood of the room. Our research investigates how a robot with an ambient display may integrate into a space. For example, how will the robot alter how people use or perceive the environment, or how people will interact with the robot itself? In this paper we describe our initial prototype, an iRobot Roomba augmented with lights, and highlight the research questions driving our exploration, including initial study design.