Aadjan van der Helm

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Aadjan van der Helm is a design researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI), speculative design, and artistic robotics. His key research areas include spatial robotic experiences, design-driven HRI, and the use of interactive art as a method for technological speculation. Van der Helm’s major contribution lies in demonstrating how artistic robotic systems—rather than functional or task-oriented robots—can serve as a “reservoir of unfamiliarity,” opening up new ways of thinking about future human-robot relationships. His most cited paper, “Spatial Robotic Experiences as a Ground for Future HRI Speculations” (2024), reflects on a collaborative project between design students, a media art studio, and design researchers, showing how artistic practice can ground speculative HRI research in tangible, embodied experiences. While his citation count is still growing, van der Helm’s influence is notable for bridging the gap between engineering-focused robotics and critical, design-led inquiry. His work is especially valuable for students and researchers interested in how art and design can challenge assumptions about what robots are and could become.