Toward Designing Social Human-Robot Interactions for Deep Space Exploration

TL;DR

This paper explores how social robots could enhance interpersonal communication and social dynamics among crew members during long-duration space missions, addressing a key aspect of future human space exploration.

Contribution

It introduces novel research questions on designing social human-robot interactions specifically for deep space exploration contexts.

Findings

Social robots can potentially improve team cohesion in space.

Embodied robots may help reduce stress and anxiety among crew.

New research directions are proposed for space-specific social robot design.

Abstract

In planning for future human space exploration, it is important to consider how to design for uplifting interpersonal communications and social dynamics among crew members. What if embodied social robots could help to improve the overall team interaction experience in space? On Earth, social robots have been shown effective in providing companionship, relieving stress and anxiety, fostering connection among people, enhancing team performance, and mediating conflicts in human groups. In this paper, we introduce a set of novel research questions exploring social human-robot interactions in long-duration space exploration missions.