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About

Amy Koike is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, specializing in soft robotics and expressive design to bridge the communication gap between humans and machines. Her work centers on developing novel methods for robots to convey internal states and emotions, moving beyond traditional verbal cues. Koike’s major contributions include the creation of *Sprout*, a soft robot using fiber-embedded actuators to express itself through shape changes like extending, bending, and twisting (13 citations). She also introduced the concept of *extra-linguistic expression*, drawing from graphic novels and animation to design cues such as smoke and water droplets for enhanced robot expressiveness (9 citations). Her *Tangible Scenography* method adapts theatrical techniques for holistic HRI design, enabling robots to function in complex, real-world environments (6 citations). Notably, her field study deploying a conversational robot in a shopping mall revealed five user motivation patterns, demonstrating how real-world contexts shape interaction (5 citations). Koike’s innovative fusion of soft robotics, theatrical design, and user-centered research is redefining how robots connect with people in everyday settings.