Flying robots are becoming more and more common. Yet, they also come with safety concerns. Quadrocopter drones, the most popular type, have fast-spinning propellers. Their rigid structures and loud noise levels make them unsuitable for close-range human interaction. Yet, can we design flying robots that people can safely touch and interact with?
Our recent work, lead by Mingyang Xu, introduces Cuddle-Fish, a soft floating robot that takes a different approach to aerial robotics. Instead of using propellers, the robot combines a helium-filled soft body with low-frequency flapping wings inspired by animal movement. It’s also the first of its kind that fits in normal indoor environments (like apartments and homes). Its design eliminates the danger of spinning blades while maintaining the ability to move through indoor spaces.
The robot’s soft construction allows people to touch it without risk of injury. We tested this with 24 participants who interacted with the robot in a controlled study. What we observed was striking: participants didn’t just tolerate the robot’s presence—they actively engaged with it. Without being prompted, people patted, stroked, and even hugged the robot. Some participants touched it to their cheeks. These spontaneous affective behaviors suggest that the soft, approachable design creates a different kind of relationship between humans and robots.
We see potential uses in companionship and affective interaction. The robot’s ability to elicit spontaneous touching and positive emotional responses suggests it could serve in therapeutic settings or as a social presence for people who spend time alone. Cuddle-Fish shows that aerial robots can also engage in close physical interaction when designed with safety and approachability as primary concerns.
Era: GEIST lab, Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University (2015 to 2026).
Source: kaikunze.de (18 November 2025).