Bruce N. Walker

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Bruce N. Walker is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI), trust in automation, and assistive technologies for visually impaired individuals. His work critically examines how humans develop and maintain trust in robotic systems, particularly in high-stakes environments. His most-cited paper, "The role of risk in human-robot trust" (2020, 26 citations), provides foundational insights into how perceived risk modulates trust calibration between humans and autonomous agents. Walker has also pioneered research into robotic guide dogs for blind or visually impaired (BVI) people, exploring user expectations and design requirements for systems that can navigate unstructured terrains affordably and autonomously. His 2025 paper on this topic (5 citations) addresses a critical gap in assistive robotics. Additionally, Walker organized the "Symbiotic" workshop (2024), which bridges HRI and autonomous vehicle interaction research, fostering cross-disciplinary transferability of principles and methodologies. His work is notable for its practical focus on real-world applications, from mobility aids to autonomous vehicles, and for advancing our understanding of how humans interact with, trust, and benefit from intelligent robotic systems.