This edited collection approaches the field of social robotics from the perspective of a cultural ecology, fostering a deeper examination of the reach of robotic technology into the lived experience of diverse human populations, as well as the impact of human cultures on the development and design of these social agents.
To address the broad topic of Cultural Robotics, the book is sectioned into three focus areas: Human Futures, Assistive Technologies, and Creative Platforms and their Communities. The Human Futures section includes chapters on the histories and future of social robot morphology design, sensory and sonic interaction with robots, technology ethics, material explorations of embodiment, and robotic performed sentience. The Assistive Technologies section presents chapters from community-led teams, and researchers working to adopt a strengths-based approach to designing assistive technologies for those with disability or neurodivergence. Importantly, this section contains work written by authors belonging to those communities. Creative Platforms and their Communities looks to the creative cross-disciplinary researchers adopting robotics within their art practices, those contributing creatively to more traditional robotics research, and the testing of robotics in non-traditional platforms such as museum and gallery spaces.
Cultural Robotics: Social Robots and their Emergent Cultural Ecologies makes a case for the development of social robotics to be increasingly informed by community-led transdisciplinary research, to be decentralised and democratised, shaped by teams with a diversity of backgrounds, informed by both experts and non-experts, and tested in both traditional and non-traditional platforms. In this way, the field of cultural robotics as an ecological approach to encompassing the widest possible spectrum of human experience in the development of social robotics can be advanced.
Author(s): Belinda J. Dunstan, Jeffrey T. K. V. Koh, Deborah Turnbull Tillman, Scott Andrew Brown
Series: Springer Series on Cultural Computing
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 280
City: Cham
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Contents
Contributors
1 Emergent Cultural Ecologies in Social Robotics
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Emergent Thematics
1.2.1 Human Futures
1.2.2 Assistive Technologies
1.2.3 Creative Platforms and Their Communities
1.2.4 Platforming with Purpose
1.3 Cultural Ecologies
1.4 Case Studies
1.5 Conclusion
References
Part I Human Futures
2 Social Robot Morphology: Cultural Histories of Robot Design
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Human Replica
2.2.1 Implications
2.3 The Futuristic Machine
2.3.1 Futurism, Dynamism, and the Simultaneity of Human and Machine
2.3.2 Streamlined Design
2.3.3 Implications
2.4 The Cute Companion
2.4.1 Commodify
2.4.2 Domesticate
2.4.3 Pacify
2.4.4 Implications
2.5 Conclusion
References
3 The Robot Soundscape
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Sound Uttered by Robots
3.2.1 Speech
3.2.2 Semantic-Free Utterances
3.3 Sound Performed by Robots
3.4 Sound as Background to HRI
3.5 Sound Associated with Robot Movement
3.5.1 Consequential Sound
3.5.2 Movement Sonification
3.6 Sound Responsive to Human Actions
3.7 Conclusion
References
4 Reimagining Robots
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Pelt (Bestiary)
4.3 Symphony for 54 Shoes
4.4 The Angry Machine
4.5 Conclusion
References
5 Data, Site, Materials: Robotics and Digital Fabrication Within Installation Art
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Background: Robotics and Digital Fabrication
5.3 Data Physicalisation
5.4 Data Sculpture and Dataforms
5.5 NAVSTAR (2020)
5.6 Dendro/Volume (2020)
5.7 Towards Data Installation
References
6 The Future of Non-fungible Tokens: PNFTs as a Medium for Programmatic Art Enabling a Fully Realized AI-Driven Art Ecosystem
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Background
6.2.1 Art on the Blockchain Versus Blockchain-Based Art
6.2.2 Generative and Algorithmic Art
6.3 Programmatic Non-fungible Tokens
6.4 Artificial Intelligence and Art
6.4.1 Artificial Intelligence Art
6.5 Components of a Fully Automated AI Art Ecosystem
6.6 Conclusion
References
Part II Assistive Technology
7 From Assistive to Adaptive: Can We Bring a Strengths-Based Approach to Designing Disability Technology?
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Assistive Robotics in the Autistic Context
7.3 Disability Dongles and the Empathy Problem
7.4 Assistive Technology and the Social Model of Disability
7.5 Creating Space for Disabled Voices
7.6 From Assistive to Adaptive
7.7 The Assistive Technologies Section
References
8 The Intersection of Social Impact, Technology and Design: A Catalyst for Cultural Change
8.1 The Not-So-Distant Past
8.1.1 Introduction
8.1.2 Medical Versus Social Models of Disability: Let’s Take a Look at What the Past Has Taught Us
8.1.3 The Role of Technology: Friend or Foe?
8.1.4 User Experience Design: What on Earth Does This Mean and Why Do We Care?
8.2 The Evolving Present
8.3 Learn from Our History, and Right Our Way to the Future
References
9 Culture in Social Robots for Education
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Background
9.2.1 Culture and Social Robots
9.2.2 Social Robots in Education
9.3 Value Sensitive Design Applied to Social Robots
9.4 Methods
9.5 Cultural Assessment
9.6 Discussion
9.7 Recommendations to Report Culturally Sensitive HRI
9.8 Conclusions
References
10 Towards an Autistic User Experience (aUX) Design for Assistive Technologies
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Problem/Issue
10.3 Support Needs of Autistic People
10.4 Assistive Technology Responses to Problem/Issue
10.5 User Experience and Autistic UX Design
10.6 AUX Design—A Response to Issues Identified in AT to Improve User Experiences with Technology
10.7 Summary of Chapter
References
11 Drone Swarms to Support Search and Rescue Operations: Opportunities and Challenges
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Related Work
11.2.1 UAVs for Emergency Settings
11.2.2 UAV Swarm Behavior and Control
11.2.3 User Interfaces for Human–Swarm Interaction
11.3 Interviews and Prototype Evaluations
11.4 Five Research Challenges
11.4.1 Visualization
11.4.2 Situational Awareness
11.4.3 Technical Issues
11.4.4 Team Culture
11.4.5 Public Perception
11.5 Conclusion
References
Part III Creative Platforms and Their Communities
12 Culture and Technology: Curating New Media in Collaborative Ways
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Case Study Highlights
12.2.1 Interview with Matthew Connell, Principal Curator
12.2.2 Shifting Conversations in Robotics with Culture
12.3 Conclusion
References
13 Soft Robotics Workshops: Supporting Experiential Learning About Design, Movement, and Sustainability
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Background
13.2.1 Soft Robotics
13.2.2 Sustainability and Soft Robotics
13.3 Method
13.3.1 Soft Robotics and Art Workshops
13.3.2 Materials
13.3.3 Integrating Sustainability with Soft Robotics and Art Workshops
13.3.4 Participants
13.3.5 Schedule and Curriculum of the Sustainable Soft Robotics Workshop
13.3.6 Evaluation
13.4 Results
13.4.1 Sustainable Soft Robots—The Projects Developed During the Workshop
13.4.2 Critical Reflections, Survey and World Cafe
13.5 Discussion
13.5.1 Integrate Different Ways of Knowing, Learning and Doing
13.5.2 Use Artistic and Design Methods to Foster Participation and Process-Based Inquiry
13.5.3 Stay with the Trouble in Transdisciplinary Work
13.6 Conclusion
Appendix 1
References
14 Sonic Robotics: Musical Genres as Platforms for Understanding Robotic Performance as Cultural Events
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Musical Genre and Its Role in Robotic Performance
14.3 Robot Opera: Robotic Performance as Musico-Dramatic Gesamtkunstwerk
14.4 Synthesiser-Robot: Expressive Robotic Gesture and Emotion in Robotic Music Performance
14.5 Sound Design for The Ghosts of Roller Disco: Deconstructed Fragments
14.6 Future Work
14.7 Conclusion
14.8 Credits and Exhibition Listings of the Works
References
15 Rouge and Robot: The Disruptive Feminine
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Code_red
15.3 A Deleuzian Framework for Body, Gesture, and Sensation in Human Robot Interactions
15.3.1 Figure and Fact: Bodies Kept in Motion
15.3.2 Sensation: Intensification and Spasm
15.3.3 Coupling: A Merging and Resonance
15.3.4 Painting Invisible Forces: A Topography of Lips
15.4 Discussion
15.4.1 Breaching the Intimate Zone: Safety and Danger
15.4.2 Resonance as Kinaesthetic Empathy
15.4.3 Micro-Gestures as Active Agency and Collaboration
15.5 Conclusion
References
16 On Display: Robots as Culture
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Inter-, Cross- and Transdisciplinary ‘Things’
16.3 Autonomy and Characterisation: Robotics and Culture
16.4 Design and Functionality: ISAAC Versus BAXTER
16.5 Engagement Over Aesthetics: The Articulated Head Over the Thinking Head
16.6 Performing Audiences: Materiality and Interactive Art in ISEA2013 and SHErobots
16.7 Conclusion
References
Index
