Humanoid companion robots: an experimental art practice exploring dimensions of loneliness issues of young adults
Jiang, Zhongjing (2025) Humanoid companion robots: an experimental art practice exploring dimensions of loneliness issues of young adults. PhD thesis, University for the Creative Arts.
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This thesis embarks on a qualitative exploration of the impact of humanoid companion robots on the loneliness experienced by young adults, a demographic increasingly subject to social isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise of digital technology has supplanted traditional interpersonal interactions with virtual communication, altering perceptions of closeness and isolation and engendering a dichotomy where young adults feel fleeting connectivity amidst persistent loneliness. By adopting an autoethnographic approach within the Human-Robot Interaction HRI) framework, this study integrates art practice with robotics to examine the role of experimental art in the realm of companion robots, specifically addressing the subjective loneliness of young adults aged 20 to 35 at the University for the Creative Arts in the UK. This age group, comprising millennials and Generation Z, faces distinct developmental challenges and is defined by its deep engagement with technology—constituting over half of Instagram’s global users as of 2023. The research methodology encompasses a multifaceted array of techniques, including humanoid companion robot remoulding - mainly focusing on appearance and language systems, journaling and multimedia art forms, all converging to illuminate the personal nuances of loneliness in the digital era. At the heart of this research lies the innovative fusion of functional and emotional robot capabilities with the transformative power of art, introducing an artistic dimension to foster social connections. This interdisciplinary endeavour does not seek to offer a clinical solution but proposes an alternative form of companionship through artistic practice, enabling participants to reflect on their experiences of loneliness and imagine new forms of relational engagement. Employing experimental art methods, the project catalysed transformative interactions through creative workshops and analysis. Based on workshop findings, it produced a re-moulded humanoid robot head, a series of artworks, and a public exhibition. These complex outcomes aim to shift participants' perceptions of loneliness and companionship, offering both solace and a reimagined connection through robotic presence. The significance of this study is underscored by its contribution to the ongoing discourse that intersects technology, art, and the culture of innovation. It situates itself at the forefront of research that not only interrogates but also redefines the relationships between humans and robots, particularly within the context of addressing the loneliness prevalent among young adults.
Thesis submitted in partial requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham.
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