Raven

Abstract

With the difficulties that the homeless face in meeting their basic needs of safety and comfort, and with widespread misconceptions about their capabilities by the settled population, the homeless are often unable to keep routines and to find jobs. Raven is an interactive robotic object (IRO) that addresses the needs of the homeless by creating engagement between the homeless and the settled population in a city. With the IRO placed on busy streets, requests of funds, services, food, etc. made by the homeless at local community centers are shared with passersby, who can fulfill these requests either by themselves or collectively on social media. The project goal is to support the needs of the homeless by creating a systemic shift in the way we understand homelessness.