Yoonwon Jung

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Yoonwon Jung is an emerging researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, social robotics, and affective computing. Their work centers on designing and understanding social robots that can meaningfully connect with humans — particularly those experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Jung's most impactful contribution to date is the development of the SAFE framework (Speech, Action, Facial expression, and Emotion), a structured approach to equipping social robots with empathetic non-verbal cues powered by large language models. Published in 2023 and already accumulating 16 citations, this work represents a significant step toward robots that can genuinely respond to human emotional states rather than simply simulate interaction. Complementing this, Jung has also explored the psychological mechanisms through which people form bonds with robots, investigating how loneliness shapes anthropomorphism and how robot appearance influences that process — research that has drawn 7 citations within its first year. Together, these contributions position Jung as a thoughtful voice in the conversation around how robots can serve as compassionate companions, with implications for elderly care, mental health support, and the future of human-machine relationships.