OCAD University Open Research Repository

Iterative Creatures

Zhao, Harry (2026) Iterative Creatures. Masters thesis, OCAD University.

Item Type: Thesis
Creators: Zhao, Harry
Abstract:

Iterative Creatures is a research design project that includes robots in their own development process to mitigate designer intentionality. AWORM is a standardized microcontroller driving two servo motors and a modular architecture of 3d printed components with the capacity to upgrade and expand over time.
This thesis investigates how human designers can create non-human-centric robot behavior by granting robots agency. AWORM and ABOT are two robots developed within this premise as research instruments. Their behavior is governed by both physical and computational constraints that require active maintenance and upgrades from the designer and themselves, enabling them to operate as self-directed robots with different abilities and personalities.
Iterative Creatures demonstrates how designer intentionality can be mitigated by collaborating with robot agency by including robots in their own design process.

Official URL: https://www.harryzhao.art/works/aworm
Date: 6 May 2026
Uncontrolled Keywords: artificial life, non-human, behavior, robot-in-loop, robotics
Divisions: Graduate Studies > Digital Futures
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 07 May 2026 15:58
Last Modified: 07 May 2026 15:58
URI: https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/5121

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