Me, You, and a Robot with PA Consulting

What is a robot? Visions of robots span a wide spectrum: from helpful partners that take on tedious or undesirable tasks, to unsettling replacements that threaten human roles altogether. Headlines in the media and conversations at tech conferences make it clear that robotic technologies are advancing at an unprecedented pace and that robots are here to stay.

As designers and engineers, we can anchor those advancements within the context of human engagement, interaction, and emotions. Surgical systems, assembly lines, warehouse machines, personal companions, appliances, autonomous vehicles, and AI-driven software all blur the lines between tool and agent. Stopping short of a dystopian or unrealistic utopian future, the role of robots in society is open for discussion, acceptance, and debate. Join us at PA Consulting during SF Design Week to define the terms — and question them.