“Otherware” and the Not-Yet: A Methodological Investigation into Speculative Design for HCI by the Example of Sophisticated Autonomous Systems

In Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Speculative Design (SD) as a form of critically examining near-future technologies and their sociotechnical implications has gained momentum. However, despite its growing adoption, SD remains methodologically vague. This PhD aims to refine the methodological understanding of SD by examining its potentials, challenges, and “quality” for studying emerging technologies–more specifically “otherware” (e.g., robots, chatbots). By adopting a dual methodological lens—research through speculative design (practical application) and research into speculative design (theoretical analysis)—this doctoral research developed in three phases: (1) initial exploration through case studies, (2) expansion of insights into corporate research, and (3) a systematic investigation of the “quality” of SD in HCI. This advances the understanding of how SD practices can be effectively applied in HCI across academic and corporate settings.