Annelie Bakker
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Annelie Bakker is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI) and olfactory science, exploring how scent can shape trust and social dynamics with autonomous systems. Her most notable work, "No Evidence for an Effect of the Smell of Hexanal on Trust in Human–Robot Interaction" (2022), critically examines whether the grass-like odor of hexanal—known to boost interpersonal trust among humans—can similarly enhance trust in robots. While the study found no significant effect, it provides a rigorous, foundational contribution to the emerging field of olfactory HRI, challenging assumptions and guiding future research on sensory cues in human-robot encounters. Though her citation count is modest, Bakker’s work is pioneering for its systematic, empirical approach to an underexplored modality. By documenting a null result with transparency and methodological care, she helps the community avoid publication bias and build a more reliable evidence base. Her research is especially valuable for students and engineers designing socially assistive robots, reminding us that not all human sensory shortcuts translate seamlessly to machine interaction. Bakker’s contributions underscore the importance of testing intuitive hypotheses with scientific rigor, advancing a more nuanced understanding of trust in human-robot relationships.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1