Robots that work with people foster social relationships
between people and systems. The home is an interesting
place to study the adoption and use of these systems. The
home provides challenges from both technical and
interaction perspectives. In addition, the home is a seat for
many specialized human behaviors and needs, and has a
long history of what is collected and used to functionally,
aesthetically, and symbolically fit the home.
To understand the social impact of robotic technologies,
this paper presents an ethnographic study of consumer
robots in the home. Six families’ experience of floor
cleaning after receiving a new vacuum (a Roomba robotic
vacuum or the Flair, a handheld upright) was studied. While
the Flair had little impact, the Roomba changed people,
cleaning activities, and other product use. In addition,
people described the Roomba in aesthetic and social terms.
The results of this study, while initial, generate implications
for how robots should be designed for the home.