Grounding Research: conceptual considerations...

On the conceptual side, again practicalities and simple necessities should dictate the first steps.  If the esky idea is followed through, initial conceptual experiments (after the platform is prototyped) should involve:

• beginning with sensor integration / data acquisition / smoothing
• basic autonomy of movement / obstacle detection / avoidance
• voice recognition and control (including experiments into different algorithms / computational load vs accuracy and background noise rejection)

Once the engineering side is under control, it's time to move onto the most important studies: the interactions of the device with the intended users / audience..

• the excitement of technology / autonomy
• ubiquitous computing / technology that is 'under the hood'
• explorations of interface: familiarity, intuitiveness, comfort, simplicity vs features / control vs autonomy
• analogy: the idea of an esky/dog as companion
• humour ('sit', 'heel', 'stay')
• empathy (wagging tail, movement of sensors mimic human actions, cuteness)

Which then leads into such questions as:

• can it detect a users needs and console him / her like a real dog?
• better than a real dog?
• what if it is too quiet, should it 'bark'? or if the esky hasn't been opened in a while, should it act 'playful'? flap the lid? restless??

Other considerations that are pertinent include how to handle the intended 'party' situation... noise, crowds, curiosity, children...

And after ongoing discussion with Andy, issues such as machine learning are extremely pertinent: taking the device out of the realms of programmed, and into the real meaning of autonomy... Further discussion is definately promised here, but later.....