This course will introduce students to the field of Social Robotics and Human Robot Interaction (HRI) through movement experiments aimed at developing indicators for sentience and affect.

The course will explore the history of automata, robots, and cyborgs through science fiction literature and contemporary theory, leading to the advent of Social Robotics and HRI. The theory component will track the introduction of various technologies into human society and analyse their reciprocal relationships. Movement experiments will be generated in physical prototypes, and as 3D CGI virtual representations utilising existing 3D model designs for prototyping robotic motion based on engineering and locomotion restrictions (servomotors, relays, mechanics). Investigation and exploration of affective processes in HRI, psychology, sociology, perception, and technology theory will inform the development of a Social Robotics project over a number of iterative stages.

This course will consist of weekly seminars combining a series of practical tasks including building and making. Students will be engaged in an immersive and complimentary learning environment including studio experimentation, regular group seminars and an online learning community. Reflective processes will include regular online blog entries throughout the semester documenting creative processes, expression and critical reflection.