Of Dogs and Robots: More Than Human Interactions at Play?

This paper explores the emerging field of Animal-Robot Interaction (ARI) by questioning the way humanoid robots could engage with dogs in domestic settings, a scenario which we expect to become prevalent in the near future. While existing research focuses on human-robot interaction, ARI remains quite underexplored, particularly regarding how dogs perceive and respond to robotic agents. In contrast, this work proposes a playful and relational design perspective to foster more natural interactions between dogs and robots. We sought guidance from the Department of Veterinary Medicine to ensure our experimental design offered an ethical and stress-free environment for the dogs. Hence, the study incorporated best practices in robot vocalisation, gestural communication, and movement adaptation, supporting the robot’s ability to interact naturally. The experiment involved six dogs, always in the presence of their owners. Preliminary findings indicate that dogs can react with curiosity and engagement, but also avoidance or fear, challenging assumptions about robot acceptability in animal interactions. We argue for rethinking robotic design beyond human-centric paradigms, advocating for pluralistic and open-ended approaches to ARI.