The Rhythm of the Robot: A Prolegomenon to Posthuman Somaesthetics

Abstract

This work-in-progress paper describes an investigation into the somaesthetic qualities of exploring posthuman strategies and relations with technology. This was done through bodystorming and physical prototyping, casting soft robots directly onto the body. Through a Research-through-Design process, a soft robotic prototype, Nautica, was developed. This prototype is based on embodied design ideation, autoethnographic bodystorming and prototyping in soft robotics. Nautica explores the concept of an embodied navigation system that plays with re-embodying the disembodied virtual body found in digital navigation systems. The Nautica prototype was tested directly on the designer-researcher’s body which led to discerning preliminary emergent properties. Over a short-term adoptive study it was discovered that several “material” commonalities between the wearer and robot emerged due to the materiality and behavior of soft robots. These insights may suggest new ways of experiencing hybrid somatic relations with technology. This work-in-progress ends on suggesting further work such as connecting the soft robot to a real, functioning navigation system and to expand the testing of the Nautica prototype.