A Robotic Arm For Manipulating Writing Utensils; The Integration of Robotic Assistance in Tabletop Gaming 105 views

As mental health concerns continue to affect millions of people, there is an increasing need for technologies that improve accessibility without reducing social interaction in physical gaming environments. This research investigates the insertion of robotic assistance in analog games for the sake of providing mental health benefits to those who may often be unable to experience them. The paper provides insight into how robotic assistance can be integrated into tabletop gaming to improve accessibility, while still harnessing the social interaction that makes tabletop gameplay mentally beneficial. Using a framework of technological mediation, as developed by Verbeek, this research also examines how technology shapes human relationships rather than functioning as a neutral tool. By combining information on mental health, tabletop gaming, and socially assistive robotics, it is argued that robotic systems are most effective when they automate repetitive or physically demanding tasks, while avoiding responsibilities that replace player communication or decision-making. It is expected that carefully limited robotic involvement can especially increase participation for older adults or individuals with physical disabilities. This work contributes to the fields of STS by demonstrating that successful assistive technologies, even outside of gameplay environments specifically, should be designed to support, rather than replace, human interaction. The findings provide a framework for developing mentally and socially responsible robotic systems that balance engineering functionality with human-centered design.

BS (Bachelor of Science)

Socially Assistive Robots; Tabletop Games; Mental Health; Technological Mediation

School of Engineering and Applied Science Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technical Advisor: Michael Momot STS Advisor: Williams Davis Technical Team Members: Ahmed Amari, Colin Sommerville, Dilan Perez, Hoyt Fanelli, Ryan Thorpe, Tanzim Miah

English

All rights reserved by the author (no additional license for public reuse)

2026-08-09