Ole Andreas Alsos

Inspection and maintenance robotics are rapidly entering industrial operations, yet the transfer of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research into commercial practices remains limited. To characterize this gap, we present situated qualitative fieldwork with 41 exhibitors at a major industry-only conference, analyzing HRI discourse and interaction design priorities. Our findings reveal an industry driven by a reliability-first mindset that focuses on familiar, well-established interaction approaches. We identify three challenges for HRI: (1) trust practices that prioritize familiarity over usability, (2) design aspirations for broad accessibility that still require expert operational skill, and (3) multi-operator workflows incompatible with single-user HRI assumptions. We argue that, as hardware platforms mature, closing the academic-industry gap requires HRI to shift from single-user autonomy research toward frameworks supporting collaborative, safety-critical operations. This paper provides an empirical snapshot of industry perceptions of HRI and highlights where academic research could better align with industry practice.

As the maritime sector transitions toward automation and decarbonization, passenger ferry services must evolve to meet new technological, environmental, and user-centered demands. This paper presents findings from a design-led study of the Frosta Boat, an autonomous electric hydrofoil ferry service planned between Frosta and Trondheim, Norway. While much research on autonomous surface vessels focuses on technical feasibility, this study explores how passengers experience and interact with a low-crew, autonomous ferry service. Using a service design methodology, we conducted interviews, surveys, workshops, prototyping, and usability evaluations to identify user expectations, pain points, and design requirements across the full passenger journey. Key findings highlight the importance of transparency, trust, intuitive touchpoints, and universal design in the adoption of autonomous ferry services. We argue that passenger experience is a critical component of autonomy implementation and propose concrete design recommendations for ferry operators, designers, and policymakers. The paper presents a mobile app, a dockside display, and an onboard screen as the primary service touchpoints. It contributes to an emerging understanding of how human-centered design can bridge the gap between technical autonomy and public acceptance in maritime transport.