For the development of new human-robot interaction paradigms, multidimensional perspectives and interdisciplinarity are crucial. To address these issues, an environment in which design discoveries, appropriation and participation of all stakeholders is possible is necessary in the design process. We assume here that appropriation is a way for technical artifacts like robots to function in a new environment. This is possible through practices that are related to the requirements of robots in new and unexpected ways. In various participatory approaches, emphasis is placed on empowering users to participate at all stages of the iterative development processes and enable them to take part in designing socio-technical innovations. Design ideas are gained by focusing on usage practices, by which novel technical possibilities can be explored. This can be achieved by discovering a more creative solution to complex problems, or a more precise response to particular requirements of stakeholders. However, it is important that people are able, enabled, and motivated to work with new technologies. Accordingly, in this Research Topic we focus on new creative participatory approaches to human-robot interaction.
This raises several questions that relate to how contexts, spaces, and technologies can mediate discoveries regarding human-robot interaction design. However, what could be discovered in the various design spaces through participatory approaches to human-robot interactions is not yet clear.
The emphasis is on developing a specific technology in which situations and in which environments it is appropriate to use these technologies. The human-robot interaction is characterized by the fact that robots are interpreted and used in different ways. We are interested in the interrelation between interpretation and use, which are constitutive for the establishment of different creative environments, and in turn can inform robotic design projects. It matters, for example, whether persons in a nursing home have any say in how robots are perceived, and in what technical practices robots are to be integrated and appropriated. The point is not to understand the human and the robot as single actors, but to emphasize the interaction within the socio-technical arrangement. With this relational perspective, applications in which robots are operated remotely can also be seen in a new light.
We invite contributions on how robotic systems can be developed or used in heterogeneous contexts (e.g., nursing homes, hospitals, factories, etc.) and what different disciplines can say about negotiation and design discoveries using robots (both speculative and in-situ use). This will offer insights into different approaches and create a broader picture regarding the future use of robotic systems. Possible topics could include but are not limited to:
• Empowering all stakeholders by providing participatory approaches in designing and using robots
• Thinking of robots as future technologies and discovering new design features of robots
• Developing new paradigms concerning human-robot interaction in heterogeneous environments
• Identifying paradigms of collaborative sensemaking among human and non-human actors
• Creating negotiation spaces for the sustainable appropriation of robots
• Promoting the motivation of all stakeholders for the successful appropriation of robots in different environments
This Research Topic is initiated based on the interest gained through a successful workshop, held at ECSCW in June 2022. Participants at the workshop expressed their strong interest in submitting profound empirical research articles to an extended collection within the scope of the topics presented. Moreover, we also encourage researchers from any other scientific field to engage with the topic of design and appropriation regarding human-robot interaction.
For the development of new human-robot interaction paradigms, multidimensional perspectives and interdisciplinarity are crucial. To address these issues, an environment in which design discoveries, appropriation and participation of all stakeholders is possible is necessary in the design process. We assume here that appropriation is a way for technical artifacts like robots to function in a new environment. This is possible through practices that are related to the requirements of robots in new and unexpected ways. In various participatory approaches, emphasis is placed on empowering users to participate at all stages of the iterative development processes and enable them to take part in designing socio-technical innovations. Design ideas are gained by focusing on usage practices, by which novel technical possibilities can be explored. This can be achieved by discovering a more creative solution to complex problems, or a more precise response to particular requirements of stakeholders. However, it is important that people are able, enabled, and motivated to work with new technologies. Accordingly, in this Research Topic we focus on new creative participatory approaches to human-robot interaction.
This raises several questions that relate to how contexts, spaces, and technologies can mediate discoveries regarding human-robot interaction design. However, what could be discovered in the various design spaces through participatory approaches to human-robot interactions is not yet clear.
The emphasis is on developing a specific technology in which situations and in which environments it is appropriate to use these technologies. The human-robot interaction is characterized by the fact that robots are interpreted and used in different ways. We are interested in the interrelation between interpretation and use, which are constitutive for the establishment of different creative environments, and in turn can inform robotic design projects. It matters, for example, whether persons in a nursing home have any say in how robots are perceived, and in what technical practices robots are to be integrated and appropriated. The point is not to understand the human and the robot as single actors, but to emphasize the interaction within the socio-technical arrangement. With this relational perspective, applications in which robots are operated remotely can also be seen in a new light.
We invite contributions on how robotic systems can be developed or used in heterogeneous contexts (e.g., nursing homes, hospitals, factories, etc.) and what different disciplines can say about negotiation and design discoveries using robots (both speculative and in-situ use). This will offer insights into different approaches and create a broader picture regarding the future use of robotic systems. Possible topics could include but are not limited to:
• Empowering all stakeholders by providing participatory approaches in designing and using robots
• Thinking of robots as future technologies and discovering new design features of robots
• Developing new paradigms concerning human-robot interaction in heterogeneous environments
• Identifying paradigms of collaborative sensemaking among human and non-human actors
• Creating negotiation spaces for the sustainable appropriation of robots
• Promoting the motivation of all stakeholders for the successful appropriation of robots in different environments
This Research Topic is initiated based on the interest gained through a successful workshop, held at ECSCW in June 2022. Participants at the workshop expressed their strong interest in submitting profound empirical research articles to an extended collection within the scope of the topics presented. Moreover, we also encourage researchers from any other scientific field to engage with the topic of design and appropriation regarding human-robot interaction.
