Albert Phan

Papers

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About

Albert Phan is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), specializing in how Mixed and Augmented Reality (AR) can bridge the communication gap between humans and physically limited robots. His work fundamentally redefines non-verbal communication for robots lacking traditional appendages, such as arms. In his highly influential 2023 paper, "Crossing Reality: Comparing Physical and Virtual Robot Deixis" (12 citations), Phan pioneered the use of AR to enable physically constrained robots to perform deictic gestures—pointing and referencing objects in the real world. He further expanded this frontier in his 2022 work, "Best of Both Worlds? Combining Different Forms of Mixed Reality Deictic Gestures" (7 citations), where he systematically compared and combined various MR-based gestural interfaces to optimize clarity and efficiency. By demonstrating that virtual overlays can substitute for physical movement, Phan has opened new pathways for deploying simpler, more robust robots in complex environments. His contributions are vital for the future of service robotics, manufacturing, and assistive technologies, proving that effective communication does not require a humanoid form.