Reframing Wizard-of-Oz for Proxy-Mediated Interaction

Wizard-of-Oz (WoZ) methods have long been used to prototype interactive systems by simulating system intelligence through human control. However, as embodied and telepresent systems become more prevalent, WoZ setups increasingly involve not just hidden automation but mediated embodiment through physical or virtual proxies. In this work, we revisit WoZ as a method for studying proxy-mediated interaction, where a human operator controls a remote embodiment such as a robot or avatar. Through this reframing, we highlight how WoZ is not only a tool for simulating system capabilities but also a lens for understanding how users interpret agency, autonomy, and intention in mediated interaction. We discuss implications for designing and evaluating embodied AI systems, emphasizing the importance of transparency, controllability, and the social framing of proxy actions.

Extended Abstracts of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems