Human-robot interaction (HRI) and human-robot collaboration (HRC) are relevant areas of robotics that explore the necessary requirements that allow robots to work alongside humans. One key aspect of such collaboration is stablishing an efficient transmission of information between robots and humans. A recent and novel approach to this challenge involves the use of a social heatmap. This project aims to extend the capabilities of a social heatmap so that it is also able to display high cost areas in use by social interaction, either a conversation or group viewing an artefact. The social heatmap is used by the robot when selecting the optimal route through a crowded room by marking occupied areas with a high cost so that it is less likely to invade a human's personal space unless there is no alternative route.

The student will need to investigate and learn about existing CUCR framework in robotics to extend the existing code and create new simulations with Rviz to test their implementation.

The project requires skills in software programming, mostly in C++, as well as robotics middleware like ROS over Linux. In addition, it will also have to develop their skills in networks in order to properly establish a communication between the aforementioned equipment.