A Robot for Both of Us: Benefits of Co-Design for Researchers and Vulnerable Populations

Nyomi Morris and Sawyer Collins

XRDS: Crossroads, The ACM Magazine for Students

Co-designing robots with vulnerable populations can pose challenges and risks for which there is little guidance, but when successfully implemented, it can yield outcomes that are both empowering for participants and enlightening for researchers. In this article, we reflect on our experiences working with vulnerable populations while designing socially assistive robots (SARs) and offer guidance for future researchers who may wish to do the same.