Interaction science perspective on HRI: designing robot morphology

This workshop will address the impact of robot morphology on HRI from the perspective of Interaction Science, which encompasses theory and design of human interaction with technology. Anthropomorphic designs, which are common, have to be balanced with the "uncanny valley effect," since different morphologies suggest different affordances to users, triggering a variety of cognitive heuristics and thereby shaping their interactions with robots. We expect progress towards more human-acceptable interactions with robots by understanding the cognitive, behavioral, organizational, and contextual factors of morphology in HRI, as well as new meta-theories and design guidelines. We emphasize a highly multi-disciplinary approach, by involving participants from social sciences, engineering, and design.

Topics of presentation include but not limited to: