It’s a common belief that New Yorkers are rude, but a recent study conducted by researchers at Cornell University challenges this stereotype. The study involved observing how people interacted with two robotic trash cans at a busy spot in Greenwich Village. Surprisingly, the researchers found that New Yorkers were quite engaging, helpful, and kind to the robots.
The main objective of the study was to investigate people’s interactions with autonomous everyday objects like robots. According to the researchers, studying these interactions in public spaces can help us understand the range of behaviors and norms that robots will need to manage autonomously in longer-term deployments.
The study’s findings were presented at the Conference on Human-Robot Interaction in Stockholm and were published as a Companion of the 2023 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction. This research provides valuable insights into how humans and robots can coexist in public spaces and helps us understand how robots can be designed to navigate social norms and behaviors. Overall, this study challenges the common stereotype of New Yorkers being rude and showcases the city’s warmth and hospitality towards others, including robots.
The study conducted by researchers at Cornell University found that people not only welcomed the robotic trash cans but also appreciated their assistance. In fact, some pedestrians even tried to “help” the robots by offering them trash and moving obstacles from their path. Interestingly, people invested the robots with humanlike intentions, interpreting wobbling motions as signals of appreciation, even though the motions were due to uneven pavement.
It’s worth noting that the design of the robots was not humanlike at all. The robots were simple in construction, with no face-like features, just a standard 32-gallon can on a hoverboard base containing a Raspberry Pi 4 mini-computer and a 360-degree camera on top. Thus, social interactions were based primarily on the robot’s functionality, and not on any humanizing appearances.
On-site research assistants controlled the robots’ movements, which allowed them to observe and analyze the interactions between the robots and the pedestrians.
The researchers found that the robotic trash cans encouraged social interaction among the pedestrians. Strangers initiated conversations about the potential roles of robots and how they could be integrated into public spaces. One woman even offered the robot trash as a token of appreciation, saying, “I guess it knows I’ve been sitting here long enough, I should give it something.”
Moreover, using more than one robot changed the dynamics of the interactions between the robots and the pedestrians. Some pedestrians waved at the robots to come to them so they could dispose of their waste, which demonstrates how robots can be designed to navigate social norms and expectations in public spaces. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential role of robots in public spaces and how they can be designed to facilitate positive social interactions.
Interestingly, the appearance of a second robot changed the dynamic of the interactions between the robots and the pedestrians. People assumed that the robots were aware of each other’s existence and perceived competition between the cans. For example, when one robot raced to a human immediately after the other can approached, people assigned human characteristics, such as goal attainment, to the robots. Some pedestrians even helped the robots straighten out when they got caught on uneven surfaces.
However, not everyone was thrilled with the robotic trash cans. Some people greeted the mobile garbage bins with negativity, even trash talk. One woman recoiled upon sighting an approaching can, exclaiming, “That’s creepy. That’s just freaking creepy.” Another person chastised a recycling can for accepting non-recyclable trash, saying “Bad boy.” Another aggressively kicked the can over, showing aggression towards the machine.
Despite some negative reactions, the study showed that people are willing to engage with and even assist autonomous everyday objects like robotic trash cans. As the video accompanying the report showed, a little girl walked right up to one of the robots, blew a kiss, and waved goodbye. This demonstrates that with proper design and implementation, robots can peacefully coexist with humans in public spaces, promoting positive social interactions and even environmental sustainability efforts.
You might also be interested in reading, International Conference On Advanced Computer Science And Information Technology
