Me, pet, and robot: How home-based surveillance robot constructed different types of telepresence

Remote-control technologies have expanded into homes, potentially transforming domestic dynamics by altering how pets are monitored, interacted with, and cared for within domestic environments. This study delves into the user experiences and societal implications of Enabot, a mobile surveillance robot designed for pets in China. We employ telepresence to gauge operators’ perception of being present in a mediated and physical environment, focusing on human-animal interactions and relationships. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with 22 Chinese users, this research puts forth a typology of ‘embodied projection’ to articulate rich telepresence encounters. Moreover, we establish connections between various forms of telepresence and mediated interactions within the triadic relationship of operator-pets-others (e.g., families, friends, colleagues), surpassing the design intent for operator-pet interactions. Notably, this study finds that when operators regard Enabot as an extension of themselves, they actively seek attention from their pets, which might signal a shift of power in the human-pet dynamic and a novel relationship. Ultimately, we conclude that the utilization of this robot fundamentally serves as an act of self-care for operators.