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About

Sangjin Ko is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, autonomous systems, and social robotics. With a focus on how humans perceive, trust, and emotionally engage with robotic and autonomous technologies, Ko has made meaningful contributions to our understanding of robot design and its psychological effects on users. Ko's most influential work, "Autonomous Driving with an Agent" (2019, 40 citations), demonstrated that robot-based agents—not just voice interfaces—can serve as effective trust-building tools for autonomous vehicle users, opening new directions in automotive HRI research. Building on this foundation, Ko has extensively explored how robots' physical appearances and vocal characteristics shape emotional perception and user acceptance. The 2023 paper on robot voices and appearances (25 citations) reflects a growing recognition that multimodal cues are critical to designing socially credible robots. Beyond laboratory research, Ko has championed accessible robotics education through innovative robot-theater programs that integrate arts into STEM learning across age groups, earning 13 citations and highlighting a commitment to broadening participation in robotics. Collectively, Ko's work bridges technical robot design with human psychological and educational needs, making it valuable reading for researchers in HRI, UX design, and educational technology.