What Do I Say? Public Interactions with a Drumming and Rapping Robot

This chapter examines the dynamics of human-robot interaction in public performance, focusing on Keirzo, a drumming and rapping robot, at the Parramatta Lanes festival in 2023. Through natural language processing and manual categorisation of dialogue data, we analysed how different age groups communicate with the robot. The results indicate that children engage with Keirzo through inquisitive and playful dialogue, while adults pose questions that reflect broader societal and technological concerns. The study reveals a general openness among the public to interact with robots, with responses ranging from curiosity to scepticism. This research highlights the importance of considering diverse human emotions in the design of public robotics and emphasises the need for inclusive experiences that resonate with all demographics. The findings contribute to the understanding of robotic integration into society and suggest avenues for enhancing human-robot interactions in creative and public settings.