Wearable Social Robots Archives

The short paper “Wearable Social Robots in Space” by Tamara Siegmann and Oliver Bendel (FHNW School of Business) has been accepted for presentation at the International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR). The conference will take place from September 10 to 12, 2025, in Naples, Italy. Social robots have been explored on Earth since the 1990s, but this study considers their application beyond our planet – specifically, on manned missions to Mars. The focus lies on wearable social robots, a promising form factor due to their compact size and light weight. Using AIBI as a case study, the short paper examines how such a robot could support astronauts under the unique psychological and environmental conditions of deep space travel. The authors discuss the little robot’s potential roles and highlight directions for future development, particularly in improving human-robot interaction and communication. The findings suggest that wearable social robots like AIBI could offer valuable support on long-duration space missions.

The market for wearable social robots remains relatively small. As illustrated by the case of AIBI, early models often face typical teething problems, with user forums filled with questions and complaints. Nevertheless, these technologies hold potential for a wide range of future applications, offering support and benefits not only to healthy individuals but also to people with disabilities or impairments. The paper “Wearable Social Robots for the Disabled and Impaired” by Oliver Bendel explores this topic in depth. It defines wearable social robots and situates them within the broader category of wearable robotics. The paper presents several examples and outlines potential application areas specifically for individuals with disabilities. It also addresses key social, ethical, economic, and technical challenges, building on the preceding analysis. The paper has been accepted for presentation at ICSR 2025, which will take place in Naples from September 10 to 12.