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arXiv · 2004.07198

Embracing Companion Technologies

Jasmin Niess·Paweł W. Woźniak
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Abstract

As an increasing number of interactive devices offer human-like assistance, there is a growing need to understand the human experience of interactive agents. When interactive artefacts with human-like features become intertwined in our everyday experience, we need to make sure that they assume the right roles and contribute to our wellbeing. In this theoretical exploration, we propose a reframing of our understanding of interactions with everyday technologies by proposing the metaphor of digital companions. We employ the theory in the philosophy of empathy to propose a framework for understanding how users develop relationships with digital agents. The experiential framework for companion technologies provides connections between the users' psychological needs and companion-like features of interactive systems. Our work provides a theoretical basis for rethinking the user experience of everyday artefacts with a humanistic mindset and poses future challenges for HCI.

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Jasmin Niess, Paweł W. Woźniak. 2020-04-15. Embracing Companion Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1145/3419249.3420134

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