Does a Robot Lawnmower Know Anything About Grass? A Phenomenological Gaze on Human–Robot Interactions

Abstract

Perceiving robots and their operational actions as animate is a commonly described phenomenon within the research field Human–Robot Interaction (HRI). Through a phenomenological gaze on human–robot interactions this thesis contributes four theoretically elucidated concepts: artificial Umwelt, movement acts, datanomy, and kinetic affordances. This thesis’ primary subject of interest springs out from a genuine sense of wonder at the phenomenon of experiencing a robot lawnmower’s actions as meaningful. In the thesis, I demonstrate what it means for human’s interactions with robotic artefacts that they know quite little about their surroundings. For example, a robot lawnmower’s knowledge of grass and mowing is profoundly limited. Further, the work of this thesis highlights some human premises for understanding encounters with this type of technology, especially related to our inclination to perceive the movement of others as meaningful. I explicate three distinct theories that I use to disclose aspects important for understanding the mutual intelligibility between humans and robotic artefacts during interactions.