Short answer

When designing robots for service roles, prioritize their perceived presence and embodiment to foster positive user experiences and acceptance.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (2017)
Method
Literature Review
Evidence
Moderate effect

Designing robots with a clear sense of presence and embodiment can significantly improve user experience in hospitality and tourism settings. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Using Literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing robots for service roles, prioritize their perceived presence and embodiment to foster positive user experiences and acceptance.

Study
User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Robotic Presence and Embodiment Enhance Hospitality Experiences

Designing robots with a clear sense of presence and embodiment can significantly improve user experience in hospitality and tourism settings.

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management · 2017

01

Key Findings

  • 01Robotic presence (how a robot is perceived to exist in a space) is a key factor in user interaction.
  • 02Robotic embodiment (the physical form and capabilities of a robot) influences user acceptance and engagement.
  • 03There are significant opportunities for future research into how HRIs can be tailored to enhance consumer experiences in hospitality and tourism.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing robots for service roles, prioritize their perceived presence and embodiment to foster positive user experiences and acceptance.

How to apply

When conceptualizing service robots, consider how their physical design and placement will influence how users perceive their 'presence' and interact with them.

Project actions

  • 01When designing a robot for a service role, think about its physical appearance and how it will be positioned in the environment.
  • 02Consider how users might feel about a robot's presence – will it be seen as helpful, intrusive, or neutral?
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key considerations for designing human-robot interactions in hospitality and tourism to optimize the consumer experience?
MethodLiterature Review
ProcedureThe study reviewed existing robotics literature, focusing on concepts of robotic presence and embodiment, to identify potential applications and research opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
ContextTourism and Hospitality Industry

Variables

IV["Robotic presence (e.g., perceived location, integration into environment)","Robotic embodiment (e.g., physical form, mobility, interaction capabilities)"]
DV["User experience (e.g., satisfaction, comfort, engagement, acceptance)"]
CV["Type of service provided by the robot","Specific hospitality or tourism context (e.g., hotel lobby, airport, restaurant)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Identifies a novel and emerging area for design research.
  • +Provides a conceptual framework for understanding HRI in a specific industry.

Limitations

The findings are based on a review of existing literature and may not directly translate to all specific design contexts without further empirical testing.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of findings from a literature review depends on the quality and consistency of the reviewed studies. Validity is enhanced by the breadth of sources consulted.

Think critically

To what extent does the 'embodiment' of a robot need to mimic human form to be effective in hospitality, or can abstract forms also achieve positive presence?

05

Design Principles

"Design for perceived presence and embodiment to enhance user experience in human-robot interactions."

As robots become more integrated into service industries, understanding how their physical and perceived presence impacts user perception is crucial. This insight guides designers in creating robots that are not just functional but also contribute positively to the overall customer journey and emotional engagement.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making robots feel like they 'belong' in a place and have a clear physical form can make people feel more comfortable and have a better experience when interacting with them in hotels or tourist spots.

How to use in your project

  • 1.This research can inform the user research phase of a design project by highlighting the importance of user perception of robotic presence and embodiment.
  • 2.It provides a theoretical basis for exploring user attitudes towards robots in specific service contexts.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical role of robotic presence and embodiment in shaping user experiences within the hospitality and tourism sectors. By considering how a robot is perceived to exist and its physical form, designers can create more effective and user-accepted HRI solutions, moving beyond mere functionality to enhance overall consumer satisfaction.

09

Source

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

The potential for tourism and hospitality experience research in human-robot interactions

journal · 2017

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about robotic presence and embodiment enhance hospitality experiences?
When designing robots for service roles, prioritize their perceived presence and embodiment to foster positive user experiences and acceptance. Evidence: International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (2017).
Why does "Robotic Presence and Embodiment Enhance Hospitality Experiences" matter for design?
As robots become more integrated into service industries, understanding how their physical and perceived presence impacts user perception is crucial. This insight guides designers in creating robots that are not just functional but also contribute positively to the overall customer journey and emotional engagement.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing robots for service roles, prioritize their perceived presence and embodiment to foster positive user experiences and acceptance.
What were the main findings?
Robotic presence (how a robot is perceived to exist in a space) is a key factor in user interaction.. Robotic embodiment (the physical form and capabilities of a robot) influences user acceptance and engagement.. There are significant opportunities for future research into how HRIs can be tailored to enhance consumer experiences in hospitality and tourism.
What research method was used?
Literature Review.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When conceptualizing service robots, consider how their physical design and placement will influence how users perceive their 'presence' and interact with them.
What are the limitations?
The study is a review and does not present empirical data from user testing.