Machines that Move Us

Projecting Social Meaning onto Robots

Abstract

This article examines the shifting boundaries between service and social robots through the analysis of three case studies: Spot, a quadruped service robot designed for functional tasks, and two humanoid robots, Kaspar and Zeno, employed in therapeutic settings with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The discussion highlights how Spot’s overtly mechanical appearance may reduce the likelihood of triggering the uncanny valley effect, in contrast to the more human-like features of Kaspar and Zeno. While the humanoid robots tend to elicit positive symbolic associations within therapeutic contexts, Spot’s reception varies significantly depending on its use—appearing trustworthy in industrial environments yet raising concern when deployed by police in marginalized communities. Kaspar and Zeno function as affective mediators in therapeutic interactions, though claims about their capacity to teach emotional recognition should be critically reassessed. The paper also reflects on the sociopolitical implications of weaponized robots inspired by Spot, underscoring the need to understand robotic technologies as co-constructed within broader societal and political frameworks.