Programmer Opportunity: Child–Robot Interaction Research Project at TU Chemnitz

Project Abstract

This PhD project investigates how a humanoid social robot can support English language learning among primary-school children through interactive storytelling. The study focuses particularly on vocabulary learning, engagement, motivation, and the role of different forms of robot feedback during the learning process.

The robot will interact with children through speech, storytelling, questions, movements, and feedback, creating structured learning scenarios that can be implemented consistently across participants. Different feedback conditions will be compared in order to examine how multimodal robot behaviour influences learning and interaction.

The project combines research in TESOL, Human–Robot Interaction, educational technology, and social robotics. Its broader aim is to explore how emerging robotic technologies can be meaningfully integrated into early language education and how socially interactive robots can support engaging and experimentally controlled learning environments

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a motivated programmer / computer science student to join a research project on English language learning through interactive storytelling with a humanoid robot.

The learning scenarios, stories, vocabulary activities, and experimental design will be prepared by our research team. The programmer's main task will be to implement these scenarios in the robot system and support the technical execution of the experiments.

The most important practical skills are:

1. Good Python programming skills, including modifying, testing, and debugging existing code, preferably using PyCharm or a similar environment.***
2. Basic experience with software integration and data exchange, for example JSON, APIs, Redis, RAG, or similar tools.**
3. Good problem-solving and debugging skills, especially when different software and robot components need to work together.**

Previous experience with Pepper, NAO, or other social robots is an advantage, but not required.

What you will learn:

The programmer will receive guidance in:

1. Working with NarDial, including dialogue, storytelling scenarios, and the connection between different system components.
2. Programming and controlling a humanoid robot, including speech, robot behaviours, movements, and interaction sequences.
3. Preparing and running Human–Robot Interaction experiments, including technical testing, pilot sessions, troubleshooting, and experimental sessions with children.

Technical guidance will also be available from the developer of NarDial at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

What we offer:

• The possibility of developing the technical part of the project into a Bachelor's or Master's thesis, depending on university requirements.
• Practical experience in Human–Robot Interaction, social robotics, AI-supported learning, and educational technology.
• The possibility of completing the initial preparation and training phase as an internship, which can be valuable for the student's CV.
• Technical guidance related to NarDial and social robotics from researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

What we expect:

Because access to the humanoid robot is limited to a specific period, we are looking for someone who is:

• reliable, organised, and genuinely interested in the project;
• able to work consistently according to the agreed project timeline;
• able to be physically present at agreed times at the robotics laboratory at TU Chemnitz and later at cooperating schools in Chemnitz during the experimental phase.

The programmer would work closely with the research team during preparation, piloting, technical testing, and the experimental phase.

Contact

For expressions of interest, please contact:

Mina Raeisi Nafchi
PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher in TESOL
Institute of English and American Studies, TU Chemnitz

https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/english/sections/tesol/raeisi.php

Email: m.110raesi@yahoo.com

TU Chemnitz | Philosophische Fakultät
Mina Raeisi Nafchi

Einsatzort:
09126  Chemnitz
Deutschland

Telefon: 015732364185
E-Mail: mina.raeisi-nafchi@s2022.tu-chemnitz.de