Zijian Hu

University of Southern California, Southern States University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Zijian Hu is a researcher focused on human-robot interaction, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the nonverbal communication capabilities of telepresence and socially assistive robots. His work addresses critical gaps in how robots facilitate natural, expressive interactions between remote users and their environments. Hu’s major contributions include the design and evaluation of novel hardware for expressive turn-taking in telepresence robots, enabling more fluid conversational dynamics. He has also explored user interface tradeoffs for remote deictic gesturing, improving how operators can effectively point and reference objects from a distance. In a notable study on robot mediation of support groups, Hu investigated trust dynamics, demonstrating how socially assistive robots can positively influence group interactions in sensitive contexts. While his most-cited papers have garnered modest citation counts (5 citations each for his turn-taking and gesturing work), his research is pioneering in its focus on the nuanced, human-centered design of robotic systems. Hu’s work is particularly relevant for students and researchers interested in the intersection of robotics, communication design, and social psychology, offering practical insights into building more empathetic and effective robotic intermediaries.