"Hello, I'm Delivering. Let Me Pass By": Navigating Public Pathways with Walk-along with Robots in Crowded City Streets

2026-02-18

AI Summary

This study addresses a critical gap in human-robot interaction research: the lack of effective field methods for observing autonomous robots—such as delivery robots—in authentic urban street environments. To this end, the paper introduces the “Walk-Along with Robots” (WawR) approach, which systematically integrates public-space ethnography into human-robot interaction studies. By combining in situ accompaniment, contextual documentation, and qualitative analysis within an uncontrolled real-world setting, WawR captures the dynamic interactions between pedestrians and autonomous robots without relying on traditional control paradigms like the Wizard of Oz technique. The method successfully uncovers complex challenges inherent in real-world deployments and establishes a reproducible, evaluable methodological foundation for empirical research on autonomous robots in public spaces.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Human-Robot Interaction
• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Computer Vision: Vision for Robotics & Autonomous Driving

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Robustness and generalizability of Web mining methods

Abstract

As the presence of autonomous robots in public spaces increases-whether navigating campus walkways or neighborhood sidewalks-understanding how to carefully study these robots becomes critical. While HRI research has conducted field studies in public spaces, these are often limited to controlled experiments with prototype robots or structured observational methods, such as the Wizard of Oz technique. However, the autonomous mobile robots we encounter today, particularly delivery robots, operate beyond the control of researchers, navigating dynamic routes and unpredictable environments. To address this challenge, a more deliberate approach is required. Drawing inspiration from public realm ethnography in urban studies, geography, and sociology, this paper proposes the Walk-Along with Robots (WawR) methodology. We outline the key features of this method, the steps we applied in our study, the unique insights it offers, and the ways it can be evaluated. We hope this paper stimulates further discussion on research methodologies for studying autonomous robots in public spaces.

Problem

• autonomous robots
• public spaces
• human-robot interaction
• field studies
• research methodology

Innovation

• Walk-Along with Robots
• public space ethnography
• autonomous mobile robots
• human-robot interaction
• field methodology