Alia Saad

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Alia Saad is an emerging researcher at the forefront of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), dedicated to developing more intuitive and accessible communication methods between humans and robotic systems. Her work challenges the reliance on traditional technological interfaces by exploring direct, embodied forms of robot control that feel natural to everyday users. In her 2024 paper "Hands-On Robotics," Saad introduces a gesture-based control framework that enables users to direct robots through natural physical movement, earning 3 citations in its first year. Complementing this, her equally recent work "Push Me" investigates nudge-based interaction — leveraging embedded force and torque sensors to facilitate meaningful physical communication between humans and robots in shared workspaces — accumulating 2 citations shortly after publication. Together, these contributions address a critical gap in HRI research: the underexplored potential of direct physical interaction as a seamless, low-barrier alternative to vision- and speech-based interfaces. Though early in her career, Saad's focus on usability and user experience signals a commitment to designing robotic systems that are genuinely human-centered. Researchers and students interested in accessible robotics and embodied interaction will find her growing body of work both timely and practically significant.