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EnviRobots: How Human–Robot Interaction Can Facilitate Sustainable Behavior

Author

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  • Clara Scheutz

    (Human–Robot Interaction Laboratory, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA)

  • Theresa Law

    (Human–Robot Interaction Laboratory, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA)

  • Matthias Scheutz

    (Human–Robot Interaction Laboratory, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA)

Abstract

Environmental psychology aims to study human behavior with regard to the environment and how psychological techniques can be used to motivate behavior change. We argue that these concepts can be applied to interactive robots designed for other tasks, which then enables them to encourage sustainability behaviors in humans. We first present a literature review on the current state of social robots that are used to encourage sustainable behaviors. We next present eight hypothetical scenarios which are informed by the progress that has already been made in social robots in sustainability, as well as notable gaps where further environmental psychological concepts could be utilized. These scenarios encompass possible robots that range from limited sensing and no manipulation capabilities, to more sophisticated sensing and no manipulation, to sophisticated sensing and manipulation capabilities. We present these scenarios in which human–robot interaction could potentially result in pro-environmental behavioral changes in humans as recommendations for robot designers interested in helping design social robots for sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Clara Scheutz & Theresa Law & Matthias Scheutz, 2021. "EnviRobots: How Human–Robot Interaction Can Facilitate Sustainable Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:12283-:d:673888
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tussyadiah, Iis & Miller, Graham, 2019. "Nudged by a robot: Responses to agency and feedback," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Melissa Bateson & Luke Callow & Jessica R Holmes & Maximilian L Redmond Roche & Daniel Nettle, 2013. "Do Images of ‘Watching Eyes’ Induce Behaviour That Is More Pro-Social or More Normative? A Field Experiment on Littering," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(12), pages 1-1, December.
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