FoBo

Abstract

Despite the known benefits of commensal eating, eating alone is becoming increasingly common as people struggle to find time and manage geographical boundaries to enjoy a meal together. Eating alone however can be boring, less motivating and shown to have negative impact on health and wellbeing of a person. To remedy such situations, we undertake a celebratory view on robotic technology to offer unique opportunities for solo-diners to feel engaged and indulged in dining. We present, Fobo, a speculative design prototype for a mischievous robotic dining companion that acts and behaves like a human co-diner. Besides tackling solo-dining, this work also aims to reorient the perception that robots are not always meant to be infallible. They could be erroneous and clumsy, like we humans are.