Niklas Rach

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Niklas Rach is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI) and dialogue systems, with a focus on designing natural, socially aware communication between humans and machines. His work addresses a critical challenge in multi-user HRI: how robots should manage conversational turn-taking and interruptions. In his most-cited paper, "How to Address Humans: System Barge-In in Multi-user HRI" (2021, 6 citations), Rach investigates the dynamics of system-initiated barge-ins—when a robot interrupts a human speaker—and proposes strategies to make these interactions more intuitive and less disruptive. This contribution is pivotal for developing robots that can operate in real-world, multi-party settings like homes or offices, where fluid communication is essential. Beyond this, Rach’s research spans adaptive dialogue management, user modeling, and the ethical implications of autonomous systems. His work has been recognized for its practical impact on improving human-robot collaboration, and he continues to explore how robots can better understand and respond to social cues. For students and researchers, Rach’s insights offer a roadmap for building more empathetic and effective interactive agents.