Maximilian Born

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Maximilian Born is a leading researcher in industrial human-robot interaction (HRI), focusing on how collaborative robots can safely and intuitively share workspaces with people. His most-cited work, “Directly or on detours? How should industrial robots approximate humans?” (2013, 39 citations), investigates how a robot’s trajectory—whether it approaches a human directly or takes a detour—affects human comfort, trust, and perceived safety. A companion study (2013, 26 citations) deepens this analysis, establishing foundational design principles for robot motion planning in collaborative manufacturing. Born’s contributions are pivotal for the growing field of industrial HRI, where robots must move beyond simple safety stops to become socially aware partners. His research directly informs the development of more natural, human-centric robot behaviors, reducing anxiety and improving workflow efficiency on factory floors. By empirically demonstrating that trajectory choice matters as much as speed or distance, Born has shaped how engineers and designers think about robot proxemics. His work is essential reading for anyone developing collaborative robots for real-world industrial applications, bridging the gap between technical performance and human experience.