Beyond the User: Mapping Subject Positions for Robots in Public Spaces

The concept of the “user” is central to research in Human- Robot Interaction (HRI). Drawing on the field studies of functional service robots in public spaces, the paper contributes a conceptual framework for describing positions and roles humans can take beyond being robot users. We rely on the concept of “subject position” from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to map out people beyond users into three ecologies: Service, Street Life, and Public Discourse. Through the lens of these ecologies, we highlight how people encounter the robot as (i) an actor in service provision, (ii) a (social and material) actor moving with other members of the street, and (iii) a matter of public concern. The paper contributes a vocabulary for describing the diverse roles of humans and offers methodological suggestions for more holistic research and design of HRI. Further, we outline disciplinary and ethical considerations relating to designing with ecologies in mind.