What is the Human-Robot Interaction Lab?
The Human-Robot Interaction Lab designs robots and explores meaningful human-robot relationships
We believe that designers play a crucial role in shaping robotic systems in meaningful, responsible and viable ways. For instance, think about labour shortages for which robots can support people doing dull, dangerous, and dirty tasks, but also how people are empowered by technology, making work lighter, easier and more sustainable in the future. For such applications to be successful, robots need to be accepted and become embedded in everyday (work) practises.
The Human-Robot Interaction Lab aims to design and research robots that are well-suited to specific situations and use cases. To achieve this, we shape and integrate robotic capabilities in ways that are intuitive and relatable for humans as integrated product service systems. We are working on real world use cases in healthcare, retail, and mobility among others.
At the Human-Robot Interaction Lab, we combine an “outside-in” perspective, focusing on how robot embodiment and behaviour shape interactions and experiences, with an “inside-out” perspective that focuses on the technology driving these interactions. We recognise that embodiment, behaviour, and environment are interrelated components that cannot be separated; both the robot’s physical form and the environment within which it is situated are just as crucial in generating and eliciting behaviour as the software that drives it.
Our Approach
We adopt a relational and situated approach to robotics. This means that robots are considered and designed to mediate human actions, practises and experiences within specific use contexts. This creates a more responsive view on technology creation and deployment: designing robots that augment people in their social relationships rather than replacing them. We make use of integral thinking, imagination, giving form, prototyping and trying things out in the wild in iterative cycles are applied.
We use diverse methodologies and approaches including:
- Research through Design
- Performative and experiential practices
- Speculative design
- Interaction and User Experience design
- Robotics engineering
Read more about our Research Topics, Projects, and Graduation opportunities