Fostering Prosocial Behavior Through Observational Learning in Future Hybrid Societies

Future urban environments are transitioning toward hybrid societies, which present unique challenges in integrating advanced mobility systems to interact and coexist seamlessly with humans in shared spaces. To address this challenge, we developed a two-part study examining factors that influence prosocial intentions toward advanced mobility systems. Through an online study, Study 1 investigates the factors associated with prosocial intentions, using a structural equation modeling approach. In Study 2, we developed a VR-based walking simulator study to qualitatively examine motivations and decisions underlying prosocial intentions. Based on the findings from both studies, we propose a set of design recommendations that target behavioral and communication strategies for advanced mobility systems, such as delivery robots, in mixed hybrid environments. The results of these studies can help practitioners design proactive prosocial robots that encourage individuals to adapt to their normative beliefs and expectations and foster prosocial interactions in future hybrid societies.