Claude Barras

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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About

Claude Barras is a researcher at the intersection of affective computing, human-robot interaction, and social signal processing. His work focuses on developing computational models to detect and interpret non-verbal emotional cues—such as laughter, smiles, and vocal expressions—to improve natural communication between humans and robots. Barras has made significant contributions to the design of experimental protocols for collecting emotional audio data, notably through a Wizard-of-Oz game that elicited vocal expressions from children interacting with the Nao robot (11 citations). He has also advanced the detection of affect bursts like laughter and smiles in elderly-robot interactions (5 citations), highlighting their role as social markers that reveal user engagement and communication strategies. His research is foundational for creating empathetic, socially aware robots capable of adapting to users’ emotional states. Barras’s work bridges psychology, machine learning, and robotics, with applications in assistive technologies and social robotics. His studies underscore the importance of non-verbal signals in building trust and rapport, making him a key figure in the development of emotionally intelligent robotic systems.