Whose values are driving the design of robot swarms for humanitarian aid?

Abstract

Robot swarms hold significant promise for humanitarian aid, offering scalable, autonomous solutions for search and rescue, aid delivery, and disaster response. Their ability to self-organise, adapt, and operate in hazardous or inaccessible environments makes them particularly well-suited to crisis scenarios. However, their effectiveness and safety depend not only on technical performance but also on how well they are designed with affected communities in mind. In conflict and post-disaster settings- - often in the Global South- - these systems risk being misinterpreted or rejected if deployed without culturally sensitive, participatory design, especially given that most swarm technologies are developed in the Global North. This article advocates for a shift toward participatory swarm design, an approach that integrates local knowledge, values, and perceptions into system development. It highlights the critical role of human-swarm interaction (HSI) in fostering trust, preventing miscommunication, and enabling safe deployment. By involving communities from the outset, designers can create swarm systems that are not only technically capable but also culturally appropriate, widely accepted, and truly effective in the contexts they aim to serve.