Short answer

When designing robotic performers or interactive agents, consider incorporating elements of controlled illusion or mystery to enhance their perceived agency and create a more engaging experience for the audience or user.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: PEARL (University of Plymouth) (2015)
Method: Experimental design and audience reception analysis
Sample: Not specified, but involved live audiences and expert interviews.
Evidence: Strong effect

Strategic use of fakery and mystification can significantly enhance the perceived agency and stage presence of robotic performers. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in PEARL (University of Plymouth). Using Experimental design and audience reception analysis with Not specified, but involved live audiences and expert interviews., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing robotic performers or interactive agents, consider incorporating elements of controlled illusion or mystery to enhance their perceived agency and create a more engaging experience for the audience or user.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Enhancing Robotic Agency Through Fakery and Mystification

Strategic use of fakery and mystification can significantly enhance the perceived agency and stage presence of robotic performers.

PEARL (University of Plymouth) · 2015

Key Findings

01Fakery and mystification can be persuasive elements to enhance perceived agency in machine performers.
02Morphologies that tightly couple brain and sensorimotor actions lead to stronger stage presence.
03A lack of perceived presence in human-like robots can lead to an 'uncanny' lack of agency.
04Stage presence enhances audience identification with robotic performers.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

In designing a robotic character for an exhibition or performance, consider how subtle 'flaws' or unexplained behaviours could be used to make the robot seem more alive and engaging, rather than striving for perfect realism.

Project actions

01Consider how the 'performance' of your design can influence user perception.
02Explore how to create a sense of mystery or intrigue around your product's functionality or origin.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can principles from the performing arts, specifically fakery and mystification, be applied to enhance the perceived agency and stage presence of robotic performers?

MethodExperimental design and audience reception analysis

ProcedureThe research involved designing and constructing new robots for stage performances, merging artificial intelligence with performing arts principles. These robots were presented to live audiences, and their reception was analyzed through surveys, discussions, and interviews with experts (choreographers, curators, scientists). Theoretical analysis of embodiment in AI and psychology was also conducted.

SampleNot specified, but involved live audiences and expert interviews.

ContextRobotics, Artificial Intelligence, Performing Arts, Human-Robot Interaction

Variables

IV["Presence of fakery/mystification in robotic performance","Morphology coupling brain and sensorimotor actions"]

DV["Perceived agency of robotic performer","Stage presence","Audience identification"]

CV["Type of performance context","Audience demographics"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Combines theoretical analysis with practical construction and testing.
+Explores a novel intersection of AI, robotics, and performing arts.

Limitations

It can be difficult to objectively measure 'perceived agency' or 'stage presence' without rigorous user testing.

Reliability & validity

The validity of findings related to 'perceived agency' and 'stage presence' relies heavily on subjective user interpretation and could be strengthened with more standardized measurement tools. Reliability might be affected by the unique nature of live performance settings.

Think critically

To what extent does the use of fakery and mystification in design ethically align with user expectations and transparency?

Design Principles

"Perceived agency in artificial entities can be amplified through strategic application of psychological principles like fakery and mystification, coupled with integrated sensorimotor design."

In the design of interactive systems and robotic agents, understanding how users perceive and engage with them is crucial. This research suggests that designers can leverage psychological principles, such as controlled deception, to create more compelling and believable artificial entities, moving beyond purely functional interactions.

What This Means for Your Design

Making robots seem more 'real' or 'alive' on stage can be done by using tricks and making them act in ways that are not fully explained, which makes people think they have more agency.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify design choices aimed at enhancing user perception of agency or personality in your designed artifact.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study by Demers (2015) highlights the potential of employing fakery and mystification to enhance the perceived agency of machine performers. By strategically incorporating elements that create intrigue and a sense of unexplained behaviour, designers can foster a stronger connection and identification between the audience and robotic agents, moving beyond purely functional interactions towards more compelling and believable experiences.

Source

PEARL (University of Plymouth)

Machine Performers: Agents in a Multiple Ontological State

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about enhancing robotic agency through fakery and mystification?: When designing robotic performers or interactive agents, consider incorporating elements of controlled illusion or mystery to enhance their perceived agency and create a more engaging experience for the audience or user. Evidence: PEARL (University of Plymouth) (2015).
Why does "Enhancing Robotic Agency Through Fakery and Mystification" matter for design?: In the design of interactive systems and robotic agents, understanding how users perceive and engage with them is crucial. This research suggests that designers can leverage psychological principles, such as controlled deception, to create more compelling and believable artificial entities, moving beyond purely functional interactions.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing robotic performers or interactive agents, consider incorporating elements of controlled illusion or mystery to enhance their perceived agency and create a more engaging experience for the audience or user.
What were the main findings?: Fakery and mystification can be persuasive elements to enhance perceived agency in machine performers.. Morphologies that tightly couple brain and sensorimotor actions lead to stronger stage presence.. A lack of perceived presence in human-like robots can lead to an 'uncanny' lack of agency.. Stage presence enhances audience identification with robotic performers.
What research method was used?: Experimental design and audience reception analysis with Not specified, but involved live audiences and expert interviews..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from PEARL (University of Plymouth).
What should I do differently in my next project?: In designing a robotic character for an exhibition or performance, consider how subtle 'flaws' or unexplained behaviours could be used to make the robot seem more alive and engaging, rather than striving for perfect realism.
What are the limitations?: The effectiveness of fakery and mystification may vary across different cultural contexts and user groups. The 'uncanny valley' effect is complex and not solely dependent on presence.