Designing Interrogative Robot Theater: A Robot Who Won’t Take No for an Answer

Abstract

Abstract “You are the hottest thing in the room! I couldn’t help but come over to introduce myself.” That’s how the conversation began between the human-sized female robot and an audience member in a corner of the room during Come Hither to Me! In this robot theater the robotic agent charms the audience with her seductive humor and subtly enters them into a provocative dialogue that surfaces their stereotypical biases in gendered social interactions. Come Hither to Me! exemplifies “Interrogative Robot Theater,” our performative and critical method for social robotics research with an objective of designing robotic embodiment and interactivity for theatrical performances and public interventions. We apply various design and theater-making methods to develop a socially engaging, fun, and playful interactive experience for the audience. Using humorous conversation and embodied interaction design, our feminist robot theater makes a satirical performative commentary on misogynist dating culture and stereotypical gender roles. Inspired by the male-centered pickup artist community guidelines, we designed a chatbot decision tree for our female-gendered robot actor that flirts and provokes conversation with participants of all genders, subverting the imbalanced power dynamics of sexist social interactions. This interventionist theater-making methodology builds upon social justice-oriented interaction design, interrogative design, and Theater of the Oppressed. Through the application of this approach, Come Hither to Me! interrogates and problematizes gendered intimacy and agency in social interactions.