Journal article
Exploding the android: encounters with social robotics in a science centre
Culture, theory and critique, Vol.63(4), pp.245-264
2022
Metrics
Abstract
This paper examines science centre displays incorporating robotic technologies to provoke reflection on social robotics. Drawing on research in post-phenomenology and science and technology studies, it considers how exhibits in Born or Built? about robotic emotion undermine its framing narrative of human-robot convergence. Comparing these science centre exhibits to social robotics demonstrations draws attention to how the exhibits move away from convincing audiences about the truth or merits of these technologies to instead convey their difference and open-endedness. While there are limited popular narratives and images to invoke in exploring these ideas, relationships can be drawn between the displays and historical automata and contemporary robotic artwork, practices that frequently seek to promote reflection on robotic otherness, appearance and relationality. Representing robots with robotics points towards the relevance of style to conceptualising robotic diversity and materiality. Style in this sense is not simply an embellishment or surface addition to content, but a material expression inseparable from what is communicated and relative to technological, cultural and social milieus.
Details
- Title
- Exploding the android: encounters with social robotics in a science centre
- Creators
- Erika Kerruish - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Culture, theory and critique, Vol.63(4), pp.245-264
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Identifiers
- 991013127613702368
- Copyright
- © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Academic Unit
- Humanities; Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article