More than just a Tool: People's Perception and Acceptance of Prosocial Delivery Robots as Fellow Road Users

TL;DR

This paper investigates how delivery robots can be perceived as fellow road users by embedding social identities alongside their functional roles. Using a VR-based pilot with four on-road scenarios and grounded-theory analysis of interviews, the authors reveal ambivalence in how people categorize robots as tools vs social actors and highlight intergroup dynamics with humans. Key findings suggest that simple prosocial behavior is insufficient for acceptance; robots should communicate intentionality, display emotions, and be framed as peers to gain trust and social legitimacy. The authors propose design guidelines—peer-based framing, updated value proposition, and expressive interaction cues—that could enhance safety, social harmony, and adoption of prosocial delivery robots. These insights contribute to the literature on human-robot interaction and have practical implications for the design of socially integrated robotic systems in public spaces.

Abstract

Service robots are increasingly deployed in public spaces, performing functional tasks such as making deliveries. To better integrate them into our social environment and enhance their adoption, we consider integrating social identities within delivery robots along with their functional identity. We conducted a virtual reality-based pilot study to explore people's perceptions and acceptance of delivery robots that perform prosocial behavior. Preliminary findings from thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews illustrate people's ambivalence about dual identity. We discussed the emerging themes in light of social identity theory, framing effect, and human-robot intergroup dynamics. Building on these insights, we propose that the next generation of delivery robots should use peer-based framing, an updated value proposition, and an interactive design that places greater emphasis on expressing intentionality and emotional responses.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Left: A view of the futuristic environment presented in the virtual reality to the participants. In this city, we show the co-existence of human and AI agents and their prosocial interactions. Right: A participant walking in the virtual environment using an omnidirectional treadmill while wearing a VR headset.