Empathic Entanglements

Empathic Enganglements: Designing for and with Robot Others is a full-day workshop at OzCHI 2025 that explores how robots become expressive, empathic entities through amplified behaviours, animal-like movement, and textile augmentation. We frame robotic expression as more-than-human intelligence communicated through body, rhythm, and responsive materials. Participants will ask: How do we design for robotic acceptance without assuming sameness? How can machine behaviours evoke empathy without spoken/verbal/human language? Using textile interfaces, such as elastic bands, feathers, and stretch fabric, participants will construct new connections between human and robot bodies. Outcomes, documented through short performance vignettes, will expand HRI design beyond functional or social robotics into speculative, somatic, and material empathy – interaction felt through contact, not commands.

Call for participation

See the Call for Participation page for details on how to submit your manifesto.

Time and venue

Contact

For any inquiries, please contact: j.donovan@qut.edu.au