What counts as a robot? New research says it's time to redefine
As robots evolve from mechanical arms into AI agents, smart clothing, and shape-shifting materials, the traditional definition no longer holds. Researchers argue that how we interact with these technologies—not their appearance—should determine what we call a robot, a shift with major implications for regulation, liability, and product design.
Originaltitel: Everything Is a Robot (and Nothing Is)
What is a robot, and who gets to decide? As robots evolve beyond metallic humanoids into drones, inflatable architectures, shape-changing materials, AI agents, and garments, the category itself is breaking apart. Human-Computer Interaction and Human-Robot Interaction are not just responding to this shift, they are actively reshaping it. With its focus on interaction, embodiment, proxemics, aesthetics, and lived experience, HCI offers unique tools to interrogate and redefine the essence of robotics. This two-session workshop brings together researchers, designers, and provocateurs to map emerging definitions, challenge disciplinary boundaries, and build a research roadmap for the future of HCI-driven relational robotics. Together, we will explore what robots are becoming and what they could be when interaction takes center stage.