Barbara Kuehnlenz

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Barbara Kuehnlenz is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI) and workplace health, whose work explores how industrial robots can be designed to actively support human well-being. Her key research areas include cooperative HRI, physiological computing, and the ergonomic optimization of robotic motion. In her most cited work, "Reduction of Heart Rate by Robot Trajectory Profiles in Cooperative HRI" (2016, 9 citations), she conducted a user study demonstrating that minimum-jerk trajectories—smoother, more human-like robot movements—can significantly reduce operators' heart rates during collaborative tasks. This finding is foundational for integrating workplace health promotion directly into robotic control systems, suggesting that subtle changes in motion planning can mitigate stress and physical strain. Kuehnlenz’s contributions bridge robotics, psychophysiology, and occupational health, offering a human-centered framework for designing safer, more comfortable industrial environments. Her work is particularly notable for its practical implications: by showing that robot trajectory profiles influence both subjective performance and physiological responses, she provides a measurable, evidence-based path toward healthier human-robot collaboration.