Designing Multispecies Worlds for Robots, Cats, and Humans

Eike Schneiders, Steve Benford, Alan Chamberlain, Clara Mancini, Simon Castle-Green, Victor Ngo, Ju Row Farr, Matt Adams, Nick Tandavanitj, Joel Fischer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Proceeding (Non-Journal item)

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We reflect on the design of a multispecies world centred around a bespoke enclosure in which three cats and a robot arm coexist for six hours a day during a twelve-day installation as part of an artist-led project. In this paper, we present the project's design process, encompassing various interconnected components, including the cats, the robot and its autonomous systems, the custom end-effectors and robot attachments, the diverse roles of the humans-in-the-loop, and the custom-designed enclosure. Subsequently, we provide a detailed account of key moments during the deployment and discuss the design implications for future multispecies systems. Specifically, we argue that designing the technology and its interactions is not sufficient, but that it is equally important to consider the design of the 'world' in which the technology operates. Finally, we highlight the necessity of human involvement in areas such as breakdown recovery, animal welfare, and their role as audience.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI 2024 - Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Sytems
EditorsFlorian Floyd Mueller, Penny Kyburz, Julie R. Williamson, Corina Sas, Max L. Wilson, Phoebe Toups Dugas, Irina Shklovski
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9798400703300
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 May 2024
Event2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Sytems, CHI 2024 - Hybrid, Honolulu, United States of America
Duration: 11 May 202416 May 2024

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Sytems, CHI 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States of America
CityHybrid, Honolulu
Period11 May 202416 May 2024

Keywords

  • animal-computer interaction
  • artist-led research
  • performance-led research

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