Gundula Sopper
Papers
1
Total Citations
11
H-Index
1
About
Gundula Sopper is a researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on socially-aware navigation and the nuanced dynamics of robots moving through human spaces. Her work addresses a critical gap in robotics: how should a robot behave when it cannot avoid passing through a group of people, such as two individuals engaged in conversation? In her most-cited paper, "Do You Mind if I Pass Through?" (2021, 11 citations), Sopper experimentally compares three distinct robot behaviors for traversing a conversing pair in a hallway setting, offering foundational insights into polite and context-sensitive robot movement. This research extends beyond simple obstacle avoidance, probing the social rules that govern human-robot encounters. Sopper’s contributions are particularly valuable for designing robots that operate in crowded, real-world environments like hospitals, offices, or public spaces, where seamless and respectful navigation is essential. Her work has been cited in subsequent studies on social robotics and proxemics, underscoring its influence in shaping how robots can interact with humans without disrupting natural social interactions. Sopper’s research is a key step toward making robots not just functional, but socially intelligent companions.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1