Anxible: An Automated Public Social Device

Developing Central Command Unit for Anxible:Addressing Urban Social Loneliness in London

Context 

Urban social loneliness in London arises from two primary conditions: social isolation, where individuals lack social ties and community integration, and emotional isolation, which occurs when reliable, intimate relationships are missing, often due to relocation. Unlike urban social isolation—an objective measure based on an individual’s social status—urban social loneliness is subjective, defined by the gap between one’s desired level of social contact and the actual social interactions experienced. In London, this phenomenon is particularly prevalent due to cultural factors. 

Unlike countries such as the U.S. or South Africa, where people are encouraged to vocalize their thoughts and engage openly with strangers, the U.K. has a more reserved social culture, especially among those raised in the city. This cultural tendency to avoid expressing feelings reduces opportunities for meaningful social contact, amplifying urban social loneliness.

Project and Research Overview

This research primarily focuses on the development of the Central Command Unit, which is intended for designers to embed into various design specimens they create thematically. The goal of Anxible is to alleviate urban social loneliness in London by fostering new forms of social interaction in public spaces. At the core of the project, the Central Command Unit orchestrates interactions between Anxible and its environment, transforming locations like Trafalgar Square into dynamic hubs of social engagement. The grid system and device interactions are based on proxemics and human social interaction theory, ensuring that Anxible responds to users’ proximity and movement.

The flexibility of the Anxible system allows designers to customize design specimens around the Central Command Unit, tailoring them to specific themes and contexts. These specimens can take on distinct styles and functions, depending on the designer’s intent. For example, Anxible can facilitate playful activities like a beer pong game, encourage meaningful conversations with strangers, or promote collaborative problem-solving through interactive puzzles. These thematic variations highlight Anxible’s versatility and its ability to be adapted to different social contexts, making it a powerful tool for fostering urban connectivity.