Alain Berthoud

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Alain Berthoud is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on child-robot dynamics and motivational design. His most influential work, "Which robot behavior can motivate children to tidy up their toys?" (2014, 85 citations), introduces the prototype "Ranger"—a robotic toy box designed to encourage young children to clean their rooms. Through a Wizard-of-Oz study involving 14 families and 31 children aged 2 to 10, Berthoud systematically explored how different robot behaviors influence children's willingness to engage in mundane tasks. This research bridges developmental psychology and robotics, offering practical insights for designing socially assistive robots that foster positive habits. By demonstrating that playful, non-authoritarian robot interactions can effectively motivate young users, Berthoud's work has shaped subsequent studies in child-robot collaboration and educational technology. His contributions highlight the potential of robots as tools for behavior change, making him a key figure in the emerging field of robotic motivation and early childhood interaction.