Social Problem-Solving Learning for University Students Using Robot Theater

In recent years, a variety of service robots have been developed using deep learning and other advanced technologies. However, traditional development processes often provide limited opportunities for developers to engage directly with customers or users, resulting in products that do not necessarily reflect actual needs. Furthermore, this challenge is compounded by the fact that customers and users are not always the same, and their goals may differ. This paper proposes an educational approach that emphasizes solving social issues through “communication” rather than system sophistication. The goal is to develop students’ problem-solving skills through the creation and performance of robot theater. By designing communication content for robots and enacting plays, students learn to consider the nature of human–robot interaction while applying design thinking and systems thinking. This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of a project-based learning course involving students from humanities, science, and design backgrounds. The results suggest that robot theater can be an effective tool for fostering empathy, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.