Proxemics: Personal Space in HRI
Space Is Interface
Graphic designers own the canvas. Architects own the building. UX designers own the screen. HRI designers own the physical space between humans and machines.
When we say "space is interface" in HRI, we mean it literally. The distance between a robot and a human at any given moment is not a byproduct of navigation. It is a calculated design variable. It dictates trust, comfort, perceived safety, and task effectiveness.
The path a robot takes to arrive somewhere is never just a routing problem. It is a social communication act. Humans interpret a robot's approach using the exact same neural machinery they use to read another person's approach as friendly, neutral, or threatening. To design this behavior intentionally, you must master the science of proxemics.
