TERPLAY (TElepresence Robots PLAYground) – UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub

Modern telepresence robots are semi-autonomous mobile devices that provide remote access into a setting, allowing users not only to video call but move around the space, either manually or autonomously (only indicating the location they would like the robot to move to). They are being adopted in domains such as museums and workplaces, however their uptake remains a challenge due to technical (e.g. limited view of surroundings), infrastructural (e.g. inaccessible spaces), and social (e.g. requiring assistance from others) factors. This project will develop a programme for continuous public engagement with organisations and stakeholders, with a particular interest in, but not limited to museum contexts, to co-explore telepresence robot adoption and deployment. Issues of trust, accessibility, and autonomy will be considered, helping to understand remote presence and explore value beyond replicating physical presence.

We build upon a series of projects from TAS and the Horizon Research Institute (UoN): the agile project TAS ART (Augmented Robotic Telepresence), the Pump Priming project TARICS (Trustworthy Accessible Robots for Inclusive Cultural experienceS), and the UoN Horizon Open All Senses Telepresence project. In this project we are consolidating cross-cutting learnings across these projects, applying them to a real-world deployment in a museum, which presents a valuable opportunity to actively involve the general public in discussions regarding trust in autonomous systems in public spaces.