Alyssa G. Sellers

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About

Alyssa G. Sellers is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on designing emotionally expressive robotic systems that enhance human well-being. Her work bridges engineering, psychology, and design to create robots capable of non-verbal communication, particularly for therapeutic and assistive contexts. Sellers is best known for her influential 2017 study, "A Feasibility Study Evaluating the Emotionally Expressive Robot SAM," which introduced SAM (Socially Assistive Machine), a robot designed to convey emotions through facial expressions and gestures. This foundational work, cited over 24 times, demonstrated the potential of emotionally expressive robots to improve engagement and trust in human-robot interactions, particularly for individuals with social or cognitive challenges. Sellers’ contributions have laid critical groundwork for the development of socially assistive robots in healthcare, education, and elder care, emphasizing the importance of emotional resonance in technology. Her research continues to inspire new approaches to designing robots that are not only functional but also empathetic, making her a key figure in advancing the field of affective robotics.