Cultural Robotics: Social Robots and Their Emergent Cultural Ecologies (Springer Series on Cultural Computing)

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. 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