March 11-14, 2024 | Hannah R. M. Pelikan, Stuart Reeves, Marina N. Cantarutti
This paper presents a video-ethnographic study of delivery robots in public spaces, focusing on the interactions between robots and members of the street. The study highlights how robots are effectively 'granted passage' through urban environments due to the practical work of the street's inhabitants. It demonstrates the contingent nature of the streetscape and the accommodation work done by its members. The study also shows how real-world studies can deepen our understanding of human-robot interaction (HRI), emphasizing the subtle but essential interactions that occur in these spaces.
The research adopts an ethnomethodological and conversation analytic (EMCA) approach, examining how delivery robots navigate the streets and interact with people. It reveals that robots are not merely passive entities but are embedded in the social organization of everyday street life. The study shows that robots are often treated as unremarkable or even invisible, yet their movement is influenced by the actions of street members, who adjust their behavior to accommodate the robots.
The paper discusses the three key stages of a delivery: loading and receiving the order, the delivery itself, and the final interaction with the recipient. It highlights the complexity of the streetscape, which includes various objects and situations that robots must navigate. The study also emphasizes the importance of studying the street as a workplace and a place of passing-through, where members of the street perform accommodation work to enable the robot's movement.
The research underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of HRI in public spaces, moving beyond the focus on primary users to consider the interactions with 'incidentally co-present' persons. It suggests that HRI researchers should consider the broader social context in which robots operate, including the roles and behaviors of street members. The study also calls for a more inclusive approach to design, incorporating the perspectives of those who are not the intended users of the robots.
Overall, the study contributes to the understanding of how autonomous robots are integrated into public spaces and the complex social interactions that occur in these environments. It highlights the importance of studying these interactions in real-world settings to better understand and design for human-robot interactions in public spaces.This paper presents a video-ethnographic study of delivery robots in public spaces, focusing on the interactions between robots and members of the street. The study highlights how robots are effectively 'granted passage' through urban environments due to the practical work of the street's inhabitants. It demonstrates the contingent nature of the streetscape and the accommodation work done by its members. The study also shows how real-world studies can deepen our understanding of human-robot interaction (HRI), emphasizing the subtle but essential interactions that occur in these spaces.
The research adopts an ethnomethodological and conversation analytic (EMCA) approach, examining how delivery robots navigate the streets and interact with people. It reveals that robots are not merely passive entities but are embedded in the social organization of everyday street life. The study shows that robots are often treated as unremarkable or even invisible, yet their movement is influenced by the actions of street members, who adjust their behavior to accommodate the robots.
The paper discusses the three key stages of a delivery: loading and receiving the order, the delivery itself, and the final interaction with the recipient. It highlights the complexity of the streetscape, which includes various objects and situations that robots must navigate. The study also emphasizes the importance of studying the street as a workplace and a place of passing-through, where members of the street perform accommodation work to enable the robot's movement.
The research underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of HRI in public spaces, moving beyond the focus on primary users to consider the interactions with 'incidentally co-present' persons. It suggests that HRI researchers should consider the broader social context in which robots operate, including the roles and behaviors of street members. The study also calls for a more inclusive approach to design, incorporating the perspectives of those who are not the intended users of the robots.
Overall, the study contributes to the understanding of how autonomous robots are integrated into public spaces and the complex social interactions that occur in these environments. It highlights the importance of studying these interactions in real-world settings to better understand and design for human-robot interactions in public spaces.