Hitherto Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) has largely been defined by the influences that humans and robots exert on each other through various modes of human-centered interaction. Robots follow human intentions and pursue human-determined goals with varying degrees of agency. Humans act, respond and adapt to robot behaviors while simultaneously advancing technology to improve robot capabilities. This kind of approach to technology is at the expense of the context in which we humans move, disregarding other life forms and intelligences around us, such as animals and plants. Embedding HRI in a broader framework that takes into account other living organisms is essential to create new forms of interaction that consider the environment in which we live. With this proposal, it is intended to show a speculative artistic direction for the creation of new forms of nonhuman-robot scenarios, as well as the use of innovative robotic materials for the design of a new class of robots based on bio-hybrid technologies.
Ivan Iovine is an interaction designer, researcher and artist based in Frankfurt am Main. His artistic and media practices range from digital art to robotics and machine learning. Iovine uses emerging technologies to blend virtual and physical worlds, creating speculative scenarios that highlight challenges and issues in the use (or disuse) of these innovations and how these affect social contexts and paradigms. He has exhibited his work in various international festivals and museums such as Lab30, Ausburg (2019), Piksel Festival, Bergen (2020–2022), Die Digitale, Düsseldorf (2021), Dortmunder U (2020) and Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, Hong Kong (2021). He has written artistic and scientific publications for conferences including “Art Machines 2: International Symposium on Machine Learning and Art” (CityU Hong Kong 2021) and “State of Interim” (HFBK Hamburg 2022).