Robotic Prosthetics : Moving Beyond Technical Performance

While physical interaction with robots is becoming common in many domains, numerous devices are not appropriated by their users and remain unused in the cupboard. This phenomenon is observed particularly with robotic devices that are designed to interact closely with the body, especially if they are meant to compensate for a loss of sensory or motor capacity. This article uses the more extreme example of prosthetics to highlight the socio-anthropological and cultural phenomena affecting the appropriation and use of technical objects created to interact with the body. These social and cultural phenomena influence the use of the devices as much as, or even more than, the devices technical performance. Considering complementary points of view and theories in the design of such devices could be a way of improving their appropriation.