We all need some help if we want to get to our destination. I was struck by Kacie Kinzer’s experiment using this “tweenbot” in New York City. “Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal.”
This simple little robot, that can only roll in a straight direction at a constant speed, made it from Northeast Corner of Washington Park in NYC to the Southwest Corner of the park. It took 29 people to intervene: pushing the little robot in the right direction, pulling it out form under park benches, and redirecting it away from the curb.
I think there are some lessons that a compliance professional can learn from this experiment:
- Simplicity works
- Put on a human face
- Have a clear goal
- Allow others to help you
Are there any other lessons that you saw?
Here is a video showing parts of the Tweenbot’s journey through Washington Park:
Thanks to Jenny Williams from GeekDad for this story: Tweenbots: Help a Lost Robot Find Its Way.