The Art of Mechamimicry: Designing Prototyping Tools for Human-Robot Interaction
In this article, James Dwyer, PhD researcher at QUT, introduces The Art of Mechamimicry, exploring how simple, tangible prototyping tools can reshape human-robot interaction design.
Focusing on a “kinematic puppet” built from 3D-printed joints, PVC, and encoders, the research shows how embodied roleplay and low-fidelity props can capture surgeons’ tacit knowledge and bridge collaboration between engineers, designers, and practitioners. Trialled in a surgical co-design workshop, the puppet surfaced insights on ergonomics, spatial layouts, and cooperative control that are often difficult to articulate.
The study highlights that embodiment matters, hybrid physical-digital methods are powerful, collaboration is essential, and low-fidelity does not mean low value. While tested in surgery, the approach has broad relevance in fields like manufacturing, logistics, and aerospace, proving that the future of robotics will be shaped not just by code, but by creative, embodied practices that keep humans at the centre of design.
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