Post-growth Perspectives in HRI
Paper in proceeding, 2026
Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research is starting to engage with sustainability, yet the field remains tied to economic models that assume continual growth, rapid technological development, and market expansion. This economic growth orientation raises questions about whether HRI can genuinely support ecological responsibility, given the resource intensity of robotics research, production, and deployment. In this contribution, we introduce a post-growth perspective to reframe the relationship between robotics, sustainability, and society. We argue that rather than striving for 'green growth' within existing economic structures, HRI should engage critically with concepts such as degrowth and post-capitalism. By shifting attention from growth to development, we invite the community to consider what robotic futures are worth pursuing and for whom.
post-capitalism
green growth
degrowth
post-growth
sustainability
human-robot interaction
steady-state
Author
Sofia Thunberg
Uppsala University
Chalmers, Computer Science and Engineering (Chalmers), Interaction Design and Software Engineering
University of Gothenburg
Mafalda Samuelsson-Gamboa
Chalmers, Computer Science and Engineering (Chalmers), Interaction Design and Software Engineering
University of Gothenburg
Ilaria Torre
Chalmers, Computer Science and Engineering (Chalmers), Interaction Design and Software Engineering
Birgit Penzenstadler
Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT)
University of Gothenburg
Chalmers, Computer Science and Engineering (Chalmers), Interaction Design and Software Engineering
Hri 2026 Proceedings of the 21st ACM IEEE International Conference on Human Robot Interaction
1388-1398
9798400721281 (ISBN)
21st ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction, HRI 2026
Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
DOI
10.1145/3757279.3788811