Communication Game: Blind Robot

Blind Robot is the ultimate verbal communication game. It requires players to CLEARLY communicate verbal commands to a “robot.” The robot then has to physically interpret those instructions in a way that makes sense to them, even if it’s not what the instructor had in mind. This ‘command and respond’ cycle leads to an entertaining, thought-provoking, and sometimes challenging communication loop. It teaches students the value of communicating clearly.

Here’s how you play Blind Robot:

• Choose one student to be the Robot.
• Blindfold the Robot and send them from the room.
• While they are out of the room, the rest of the class will decide on a simple action for the Robot to complete (e.g., sit in a chair, stand on a box, write the letter A on the board, etc.).
• The students will form a circle around the perimeter of the room.
• Bring the blindfolded Robot back into the room and place them at the ‘starting point’ in the centre of the circle.
• Starting with the student closest to the Robot, each student — one at a time, and in order around the circle — will give one, and only one command to the Robot as a step towards the assigned task.
• Commands should be simple actions: “Take three steps forward,” “Raise your right hand,” “Touch the object in front of you,” etc. Each student will give ONE simple command with no follow-up instructions.
• The Robot will interpret the information as they understand it, without the assistance of any other students. The Robot may NOT react based on what they THINK the instructor wants. For example, if a student says, “Raise your right hand” expecting the robot to raise their hand completely above their head, but instead the Robot only raises their right hand to shoulder level, then it is up to the next student to try and solve this problem.
• The next student can give a clearer instruction, such as “Raise your right hand above your head.”
• Students will go around the circle, one command at a time, working together as a group, to get the Robot to complete the task.
• If the task is not completed by time you reach the end of the circle, return to the first student and continue in order until the task is successfully completed.
• When the task is completed, unmask the Robot and have a quick discussion about what kinds of instructions the robot found helpful and which ones were confusing or insufficient.
• Choose a new robot and start the game again.

As students become more adept at this game you can add more difficult challenges. However, it’s a good idea to assign a ‘Robot Assistant’ who will keep the blindfolded robot physically safe during particularly challenging tasks. More advanced versions of the game might include:

• Multi-step tasks such as picking up an object and putting it in another object.
• Creating an obstacle course that the Robot must navigate to complete the task.
• Adding physical challenges to the Robot’s movement. For example, the Robot must walk backwards or crawl on their belly from point A to point B as part of their task.