Raquel Thiessen

About

Raquel Thiessen investigates the critical intersection of human-robot interaction, child development, and social equity. Her research explores how robot errors—from informational mistakes to mechanical malfunctions—shape children's trust, a foundational concern as robots enter childcare and hospital settings. Her work on "Infrasound for HRI" reveals how low-frequency vibrations, imperceptible to humans, can subtly influence emotional states, opening new dimensions for robot communication. Thiessen also confronts pressing social issues, examining how sexist robot behaviors impact women's reactions and designing social robots to encourage play for children with physical disabilities. With over 60 citations across her portfolio, her studies on trust, perception, and inclusive design are shaping the future of socially aware robotics. Her notable contributions include pioneering work on how children's trust is affected by robot errors (41 citations) and exploring infrasound as a novel interaction tool. Thiessen's research is vital for creating robots that are not only functional but also trustworthy, equitable, and supportive for diverse users.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   What? That's Not a Chair!: How Robot Informational Errors Affect Children's Trust Towards Robots

   41 citations · 2019
2. 2
   Infrasound for HRI: A Robot Using Low-Frequency Vibrations to Impact How People Perceive its Actions

   15 citations · 2019
3. 3
   Face to Face with a Sexist Robot: Investigating How Women React to Sexist Robot Behaviors

   4 citations · 2023
4. 4
   Social Robots to Encourage Play for Children with Disabilities

   2 citations · 2023

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links