Felix Kistler

University of Augsburg, Augsburg University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Felix Kistler is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on natural, intuitive control of humanoid robots through body gestures. His foundational work, including the highly cited 2012 study "User-Defined Body Gestures for Navigational Control of a Humanoid Robot" (43 citations), pioneered the use of user-defined gesture sets—where operators themselves design the movements that command a robot—rather than relying on pre-programmed, often unintuitive commands. Kistler’s subsequent 2014 framework (29 citations) formalized this approach, providing a structured methodology for eliciting, analyzing, and implementing gesture-based control systems. This work has had significant impact on the fields of social robotics and assistive technology, demonstrating how non-expert users can effectively and enjoyably guide robots in real-world navigation tasks. By placing user experience at the center of robot control design, Kistler has helped bridge the gap between complex robotic systems and everyday human interaction, making his contributions essential reading for students and researchers developing accessible, user-friendly robotic interfaces.