NoticeLight: Embracing Socio-Technical Asymmetry through Tangible Peripheral Robotic Embodiment in Hybrid Collaboration

Abstract

Hybrid collaboration has become a fixture in modern workplaces, yet it introduces persistent socio-technical asymmetries-especially disadvantaging remote participants, who struggle with presence disparity, reduced visibility, and limited non-verbal communication. Traditional solutions often seek to erase these asymmetries, but recent research suggests embracing them as productive design constraints. In this context, we introduce NoticeLight: a tangible, peripheral robotic embodiment designed to augment hybrid meetings. NoticeLight transforms remote participants' digital presence into ambient, physical signals -- such as mood dynamics, verbal contribution mosaics, and attention cues -- within the co-located space. By abstracting group states into subtle light patterns, NoticeLight fosters peripheral awareness and balanced participation without disrupting meeting flow or demanding cognitive overload. This approach aligns with emerging perspectives in human-robot synergy, positioning robots as mediators that reshape, rather than replicate, human presence. Our work thereby advances the discourse on how robotic embodiments can empower equitable, dynamic collaboration in the workplace.