Of robots and humans: Creating user representations in practice

Abstract

In this study, we explore the constitution of user representations of robots in design practice. Using the results of ethnographic research in two robot laboratories, we show how user representations emerge in and are entangled with design activities. Our study speaks to the growing popularity of and investment in robotics, robots and other forms of artificial intelligence. Scholars in Science and Technology Studies (STS) have shown that it is often difficult for designers and engineers to develop accurate ideas about potential users of such technologies. However, the social context of robots and design settings themselves have received significantly less attention. Based on our laboratory ethnographies, we argue that the practices in which engineers are engaged are important as they can shape the kind of user images designers create. To capture these dynamics, we propose two new concepts: 'image-evoking activities' as well as 'user image landscape'. Our findings provide pertinent input for researchers, designers and policy-makers, as they raise questions with regards to contemporary fears of robots replacing humans, for the effectiveness of user involvement and participatory design, and for user studies in STS. If design activities co-constitute the user images that engineers develop, a greater awareness is needed specifically of the locales in which the design of robots and other types of technologies takes place.

Intelligente Systeme für das Bauwesen: überschätzt oder unterschätzt?

“…Neben expliziten Gestaltungsansätzen prägen Interessen und Vorstellungen die Konfiguration des Zusammenwirkens in cyber-physischen Systemen über implizit zugrunde liegende Erwartungen, beispielsweise über Zielsetzungen auf der Nachfrageseite ("es muss vor allem wirtschaftlich sein") oder Anwendungsbedingungen ("eine Nutzung soll möglichst wenig Schulung erfordern"). So gehen in die Entwicklung cyber-physischer Systeme oftmals Annahmen ein, die weniger den Anwendungskontexten als den simplifizierenden Annahmen der Entwicklerkontexte entstammen (Fischer et al 2020). Im Folgenden diskutieren wir drei typisierte Konfigurationen des Zusammenwirkens von Menschen und intelligenten Maschinen mit unterschiedlichen Handlungsgewichtungen.…”

Bridging social marketing and technology in the disability field: an empirical study on the role of cybernetic avatar and social inclusion

“…To pursue such a common goal, technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), robots and humanoids, which is defined as a non-human entity with human form or characteristic, have been discussed in social marketing and social well-being literature (Moriuchi, 2021;Fischer et al, 2020;Henkel et al, 2020;Guzman et al, 2021). Although AI has been criticized for replacing human labor (Fischer et al, 2020), it has also been viewed as assisting work (e.g. assisting elderly people) (Mohamed and Capi, 2012).…”

Improving Inclusivity in Robotics Design: An Exploration of Methods for Upstream Co-Creation

“…Responsible innovation advocates ongoing engagement to balance the needs of end-users with those of other stakeholders, from early upstream throughout the life of the project ( Stahl et al, 2014 ). In participatory design , users have input into the initial design process ( Šabanović et al, 2015 ; Cooper et al, 2016 ; Eftring and Frennert, 2016 ; Lee et al, 2017 ; Fischer et al, 2020 ), but decision-making still largely rests with the RD team. User-centred/led/driven design ( Lu et al, 2012 ; Mast et al, 2012 ; Almenara et al, 2017 ; Ármannsdóttir et al, 2020 ) allows the end-user to define and repeatedly test potential solution(s) throughout the life of the project (much as RRI envisions), but the RD team has generally predetermined the problem domain.…”