New research suggests that trusting a robot to look after your cat involves more than just a well-designed robot. The environment in which the robot operates is also crucial, as well as human interaction. The research paper, titled “Designing Multispecies Worlds for Robots, Cats, and Humans,” was presented at the Computer-Human Conference (CHI’24) and won the best paper award. The study emphasizes that designing the technology and its interactions is not enough; the design of the world in which the technology operates is equally important. Additionally, human involvement is necessary in areas such as breakdown recovery, animal welfare, and their role as an audience.
Cat Royale is a collaboration between Computer Scientists from the University of Nottingham and artists at Blast Theory, creating a multispecies world centred around a bespoke enclosure where three cats and a robot arm coexist for six hours a day during a twelve-day installation as part of an artist-led project. Launched in 2023 at the World Science Festival in Brisbane, Australia, Cat Royale has been touring and recently won a Webby award for its creative experience. The robot arm in Cat Royale offers activities to make the cats happier, including playing with toys, raising feather ‘birds’ into the air, and offering treats. An AI was trained to learn the cats’ preferences, personalizing their experiences.
Professor Steve Benford, who led the research, commented that while the project may seem to be about designing a robot to enrich the lives of cats, it also delves into the question of trusting a robot to care for loved ones. Through their work with Blast Theory on Cat Royale, the research team gained insights into designing robots that interact with cats effectively. They had to design the robot to pick up toys, excite the cats, and learn each cat’s preferences. The researchers also designed the world in which the cats and the robot lived, creating safe spaces for the cats and optimizing the robot’s ability to engage with them.
Designing robots involves not only engineering and AI but also interior design. If one plans to introduce robots into their home to care for loved ones, they may need to redesign their living space. Research workshops for Cat Royale were conducted at the University of Nottingham’s Cobotmaker Space, bringing together stakeholders to consider the design of the robot and welfare of the cats. Eike Schneiders, Transitional Assistant Professor in the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham, highlighted the importance of creating a multispecies system that accounts for the needs of cats, robots, and humans. This involves careful consideration of various elements, including the design of the enclosure, the robot, human involvement, and the selection of the cats.
The study of Cat Royale sheds light on the complexities of creating a multispecies system where robots, cats, and humans can coexist harmoniously. Beyond designing the robot, ensuring animal welfare, engaging human audiences, and designing the physical space are crucial considerations. The research team’s collaboration with artists and stakeholders provided valuable insights into the intricate design process required for successful interactions between robots and cats. By exploring the dynamics of trust, care, and interaction in a multispecies world, the researchers are paving the way for future advancements in robotics and animal-human interactions.