Design as a Practice in Human-Robot Interaction Research

Abstract

This chapter reflects on the scope, methods, knowledge contributions, and normative orientation of design for the research field Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). The design space of interactions between humans and robots is characterized as being influenced by the way interaction is understood. Underlying views of interactions merit con- sideration, as they influence the research questions, methods, and aims of HRI design research. It is argued that we need to understand the concept of the design space(s) for HRI as extending beyond individual aspects that can be varied in the design of interactions between humans and robots to encompass the socio-technical system that the robot is developed for. This chapter further characterizes the practice of HRI designers as comprising multiple overlapping activities, operating in a complex problem context in a design team with multiple sets of expertise from different disciplines, comparable to or functioning as transdisciplinary research. This chapter contains a discussion of knowledge contribution that can be achieved through design practice and concludes with reflections on the responsibility of designers