House for potential humanities
Credits: © Emmanuel Grimaud
Coordinator: Emmanuel Grimaud, CNRS research director at the Laboratory of Ethnology and Comparative Sociology (LESC – CNRS/University of Paris Nanterre), assisted with Christian Duriez, Inria research director, member of the Research center in Computer Science, Signal and Automatic Control of Lille (CRIStAL – CNRS/Centrale Lille/University of Lille) and team manager of DEFROST, DEFormable RObotic SofTware
The idea of the house for potential humanities of the Organic Robotics research program (human and social sciences (HSS), design, robotic arts) is central to the animation of the program. It will be the main action to give visibility to the PEPR to the general public but will also be a tool for internal animation, in order to promote citizen science, collaborations with artists, and the dissemination of knowledge in robotics.
As a tool for raising awareness and mobilizing thought, it aims to become a true catalyst between the HSS, robotics, art, and design to envision possible futures and the processes of co-adaptation and co-evolution between body, technology, and environment. It is committed to placing the human body, the environment, and the fluidity of relationships at the heart of critical reflection and citizen collectives who wish to take ownership of technological innovations rather than passively accept them in all areas where automation and robotization processes are at stake (from agriculture to industry, including education and art).
A red team-type initiative (or think tank) will bring together researchers, science fiction writers, and designers. Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers will be specifically recruited to lead this initiative, which aims to be cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary—a true workshop of possibilities. The red team will include all the program’s researchers (C. Moricot, L. Obadia, J. Becker, G. Morel, C. Duriez), as well as designers (E. Ducourneau, S. Bianchini) and external experts recognized for their foresight work (J. Halloy). A larger annual event, uniting the HSS and robotics communities, is planned, to be held in the cities where the universities leading the 7 projects are located (Paris, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Lille, Montpellier, Nancy). This event will feature debates, an exhibition, demonstrations, conferences, a hackathon, and more. Preparatory work for these events will be carried out each year during the PEPR’s annual meetings.
Objectives
Description
The house has 5 main objectives:
To raise awareness about technology as a challenge #
The aim is to raise awareness among engineering and design communities, as well as the general public, about the societal challenges and anthropological shifts brought about by technological innovations, their implications for human evolution, and to take a holistic view over flexible co-adaptation processes. This involves encouraging critical and civic reflection and the reappropriation of technological issues and questions through debates, meetings, and debates organized by researchers in the HSS. Questions such as: “Can we envision ecological robotics?”, “How can we involve citizen groups in the design process?”, “Are so-called ‘flexible’ or ‘liquid’ technologies more viable, acceptable, etc.?”.
To suggest virtuous design methods #
Stimulating reflection on the means at our disposal to “no longer do things as before” (organic design), integrating the impacts of environmental pressure and designing more suitable technologies, using other materials, and considering virtuous uses.
To imagine #
Within the PEPR and beyond, we aim to create a space for vision and storytelling around future technologies, their forms, potential uses, and social adaptations. We seek to stimulate technological imaginaries better suited to the challenges of our time than those of the 20th century we have inherited. This reflection will take the form of a red team-type initiative and the organisation of a regular workshop on imaginaries of the future with science fiction writers and specialists in speculative storytelling.
To involve #
Promoting innovative participatory approaches that enable education, co-design, and participation, particularly regarding soft and organic robotics. Implementing sharing mechanisms (such as hackathons, demos, etc.). Including groups that don’t always have their say in technological innovation processes. Throughout the program, inviting project leaders to share their innovations and proposals in broader debates and consultations, or with audiences they don’t typically engage with.
To boost creativity #
Artist Residencies – Fostering exchanges and connections between research, design, art, and society through a range of initiatives (residencies, performance workshops, demonstrations, installations, exhibitions, training, etc.). Providing a meeting place for arts, sciences, and design to overcome creative barriers, relying on a network of art schools and artistic institutions (design schools, the Cité des Sciences, museums, and technological arts). This involves promoting artist residencies in laboratories, as well as developing temporary installations, exhibitions, performances, and opportunities to meet and discuss the work of artists and designers.
