Robots in the Real World: How Hands-On Experiences Reshape Public Perception

The Robotics and AI Institute (RAI) decided to shake things up in the summer of 2025 with a free pop-up experience at CambridgeSide Mall. They invited the public to get their hands on some state-of-the-art robotics, including the ever-curious Spot quadruped, a robot dog that’s more than just a viral sensation.

Breaking the Robot Barrier

Most people have only seen robots on a screen, shaped by the narratives of Hollywood and social media. RAI aimed to change that, offering a two-fold mission: let people interact with robots firsthand and gauge how these interactions shift their perceptions. It's one thing to watch a robot dance on YouTube, but it’s another to drive it yourself.

The setup was pretty straightforward. There were two areas: a museum-like exploration of historical and modern robots, and “Drive-a-Spot,” an interactive arena where visitors aged two to over 90 could take the controls of a Spot robot using a specially designed adaptive controller.

Challenging Contexts and Changing Minds

The driving arena was intentionally tricky, filled with tight passages and obstacles, a setup designed to highlight Spot’s ability to autonomously navigate under human guidance. The experience rotated through themes, factory, home, hospital, and outdoor scenarios, each chosen to reflect varying levels of public acceptance.

Surveys taken before and after these driving sessions revealed something fascinating: across all contexts, participants reported increased comfort levels post-interaction. The starkest change was in the outdoor/disaster theme, where initial discomfort was linked to media portrayals of military robots. It turns out, a few minutes of hands-on experience can undo a lifetime of pop culture conditioning.

Reimagining Robots’ Roles

The hands-on interaction didn’t just boost comfort, it also reshaped ideas about where robots belong. Initially skeptical about domestic robots, participants left feeling more at ease with the idea of having a Spot help around the house, office, or even in hospitals. The robot's capabilities, once seen in action, seemed to transcend the specific context of the interaction.

Interestingly, the experience was equally effective across genders but showed some age-dependent differences. Kids, for instance, were initially less comfortable with factory settings, possibly due to lack of exposure. Yet they adapted quickly, showing stronger gains in comfort for office environments compared to adults.

The Bigger Picture

So does this pop-up have the power to shift public opinion long-term? That's still an open question, but the results suggest the potential is there. Passive exposure through videos and articles only goes so far. Letting someone pilot a robot, even for a short time, seems to create a deeper understanding and acceptance.

This isn’t just about fun. It’s about reshaping how we perceive the integration of robots into society. Could more pop-ups like this be the key to easing robots into our daily lives? The Robotics and AI Institute is betting on it.