Friend or foe?

From smart appliances to chatbots, robotics are increasingly present in everyday life as consumers look to technology more than ever to assist in mundane tasks, facilitate human interaction and even provide emotional support.

Hello, Robot: Design Between Human and Machine features more than 200 art and design objects that explore the role of designers in the evolution of these human-robotic relationships. A series of questions, including ‘What was your first experience with a robot?’ and ‘are robots advancing evolution?’, accompany the exhibits to challenge established preconceptions and advance the discussion on the cultural importance of robots in modern society.

‘The role of design in robotics is to protect human values,’ Amelie Klein, the exhibition’s curator told Dezeen. ‘The difference between well-meant care, patronising, control and spying are very fluid.’