Legibility Imperative
Term ID: ROB-0203 · Category: Robotics · Confidence: Inferred (I) · Band: Robotics
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Inferred
Robotics
Bilingual EN/DE
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14888381
Definition (English)
The design requirement that a robot's intentions must be readable from its physical behavior before the action completes. A reaching arm must telegraph its target before arriving; a moving base must signal its direction before turning. The imperative exists because humans need 500-800ms of preview time to feel comfortable, and robots that act without this preview window trigger startle responses regardless of how safe the action objectively is.
Definition (Deutsch)
Die Designanforderung, dass die Absichten eines Roboters aus seinem physischen Verhalten lesbar sein müssen, bevor die Aktion abgeschlossen ist.
Metadata
Semantic Relations
Cross-Domain Connections
Distinct From (Not to Be Confused With)
Citation
APA 7th
Ehstand, A. (2026). Legibility Imperative. In AUGMANITAI: A Compendium for Human-AI Interaction Terminology (ROB-0203). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14888381
MLA 9th
Ehstand, Andreas. "Legibility Imperative." AUGMANITAI: A Compendium for Human-AI Interaction Terminology, 2026. ROB-0203. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14888381.
Chicago 17th
Ehstand, Andreas. "Legibility Imperative." In AUGMANITAI: A Compendium for Human-AI Interaction Terminology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14888381.
BibTeX
@misc{augmanitai_rob_0203,
author = {Ehstand, Andreas},
title = {Legibility Imperative},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {AUGMANITAI Compendium (ROB-0203)},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.14888381},
url = {https://andreasehstandlicenseofclarityloc.github.io/neomanitai-terms/academic/legibility-imperative.html},
license = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0}
}
RIS
TY - ELEC
AU - Ehstand, Andreas
TI - Legibility Imperative
PY - 2026
DO - 10.5281/zenodo.14888381
UR - https://andreasehstandlicenseofclarityloc.github.io/neomanitai-terms/academic/legibility-imperative.html
AB - The design requirement that a robot's intentions must be readable from its physical behavior before the action completes. A reaching arm must telegraph its target before arriving; a moving base must signal its direction before turning. The imperative exists because humans need 500-800ms of preview time to feel comfortable, and robots that act without this preview window trigger startle responses regardless of how safe the action objectively is.
KW - Human-AI Interaction
KW - Robotics
ER -
How to Cite This Term
Recommended (APA 7th): Ehstand, A. (2025). Legibility Imperative. In AUGMANITAI: A Compendium of Relational Phenomenology for Human-AI Interaction (ROB-0203). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14888381
All citation formats available above. For BibTeX/RIS export, see augmanitai_all.bib or augmanitai.ris.
About This Resource
Part of the first comprehensive terminology framework for Human-AI Interaction phenomena. The AUGMANITAI Compendium contains 4,618 DOI-registered terms across 43 subject areas in up to 12 languages — the largest structured knowledge resource for relational, cognitive, and systemic patterns between humans and AI systems. Created by Andreas Ehstand (ORCID: 0009-0006-3773-7796, Wikidata: Q138634675), published via Zenodo with 5 DOIs, ISO 704/1087/30042-compatible, and accompanied by an OWL ontology and SKOS vocabulary.
FAIR Data Compliance: Findable (5 DOIs, ORCID, Wikidata Q138634675, sitemap, Google Scholar tags) · Accessible (open HTML, JSON-LD, RDF, Turtle, CSV, BibTeX, RIS, JSONL — no login required) · Interoperable (Schema.org, SKOS, Dublin Core, OWL, ISO 704/1087/30042) · Reusable (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, CITATION.cff, 90+ machine-readable metadata elements per page)
Machine-Readable Formats
Disclaimer (EN)
§1 This term documents an observable or predicted phenomenon. It is descriptive, not prescriptive.
§2 This term does not advocate for or against any educational, institutional, or pedagogical approach.
§3 The definition is a descriptive observation or logical inference, not an empirical claim unless marked (D).
§4 References to data collection or surveillance describe phenomena for academic purposes. GDPR applies.
§5 This term does not constitute medical, psychological, psychiatric, or clinical advice.
§6 All trademarks are property of their respective owners. No endorsement implied.
§7 Terms addressing inequality document systemic patterns without attributing fault.
§8 References to cognitive development or wellbeing are academic observations, not clinical guidance.
§9 Numerical values are approximate references. Verify current data independently.
§10 This term does not constitute legal advice.
§11 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International. No derivatives. No commercial use without permission.
§12 Definition developed with AI assistance. Reviewed and approved by the author.
§13 No guarantee of completeness or accuracy. Information reflects the state at publication.
§14 Cultural contexts may differ across regions and languages.
§15 Intended for adult users (18+) in academic or professional contexts.
§16 The author assumes no liability for decisions based on this terminology.
§17 The author reserves the right to modify or remove terms without notice.
§18 Part of the AUGMANITAI compendium for Human-AI Interaction terminology.
§19 German law applies. Jurisdiction: Federal Republic of Germany.
§20 Severability: If any provision is invalid, remaining provisions remain in effect.
Haftungsausschluss (DE)
§1 Dieser Term dokumentiert ein beobachtbares oder prognostiziertes Phänomen. Deskriptiv, nicht präskriptiv.
§2 Dieser Term tritt nicht für oder gegen einen pädagogischen Ansatz ein.
§3 Die Definition ist eine beschreibende Beobachtung oder logische Schlussfolgerung.
§4 Bezüge zu Datenerhebung beschreiben Phänomene für akademische Zwecke. DSGVO gilt.
§5 Dieser Term stellt keine medizinische oder klinische Beratung dar.
§6 Alle Markenzeichen sind Eigentum ihrer jeweiligen Inhaber.
§7 Terme zu Ungleichheit dokumentieren systemische Muster ohne Schuldzuweisung.
§8 Bezüge zu kognitiver Entwicklung sind akademische Beobachtungen.
§9 Numerische Werte sind ungenähre Referenzen.
§10 Dieser Term stellt keine Rechtsberatung dar.
§11 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International. Keine Bearbeitungen. Keine kommerzielle Nutzung.
§12 Definition mit KI-Unterstützung entwickelt. Vom Autor überprüft und freigegeben.
§13 Keine Garantie für Vollständigkeit oder Richtigkeit.
§14 Kulturelle Kontexte können sich regional unterscheiden.
§15 Für erwachsene Nutzer (18+) in akademischen oder professionellen Kontexten.
§16 Der Autor übernimmt keine Haftung für Entscheidungen auf Grundlage dieser Terminologie.
§17 Der Autor behält sich das Recht vor, Terme jederzeit zu ändern oder zu entfernen.
§18 Teil des AUGMANITAI-Kompendiums für Human-AI-Interaktionsterminologie.
§19 Es gilt deutsches Recht. Gerichtsstand: Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
§20 Salvatorische Klausel: Übrige Bestimmungen bleiben wirksam.
Impressum (DDG §5 / §18 Abs. 2 MStV)
Andreas Ehstand
Nepomukweg 7, 82319 Starnberg, Deutschland
ORCID: 0009-0006-3773-7796
Contact: augmanitai [at] gmail [dot] com
Verantwortlich für den Inhalt nach §18 Abs. 2 MStV: Andreas Ehstand
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14888381
Jurisdiction: Bundesrepublik Deutschland
© 2026 Andreas Ehstand. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International.