Bob Wielinga

About

Bob Wielinga is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on the acceptance of assistive social robots among elderly populations. His work sits at the intersection of social science, cognitive psychology, and robotics, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in an aging society: how to design robots that older adults will genuinely embrace and use. Wielinga's most significant contributions include developing methodological frameworks for measuring robot acceptance, most notably a widely adopted toolkit for evaluating user attitudes toward assistive social robots (261 citations). His research has consistently demonstrated that social presence, perceived enjoyment, and conversational expressiveness are critical drivers of acceptance — findings that have fundamentally shaped how companion robots are designed and evaluated. His longitudinal studies in eldercare institutions, conducted through innovative Wizard of Oz experiments, provided rare real-world insights and practical guidelines for researchers working in sensitive care environments. With several papers exceeding 100 citations and a cumulative body of work attracting over 1,300 citations across his top publications alone, Wielinga's influence on the field is substantial. His research on empathic robot behavior and the nuanced effects of touch and autonomy further highlights his commitment to understanding the deeply human dimensions of robot companionship — making his work essential reading for anyone designing technology for vulnerable populations.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Measuring acceptance of an assistive social robot: a suggested toolkit

   261 citations · 2009
2. 2
   The influence of social presence on acceptance of a companion robot by older people

   256 citations · 2008
3. 3
   Enjoyment intention to use and actual use of a conversational robot by elderly people

   168 citations · 2008
4. 4
   The Influence of a Robot's Social Abilities on Acceptance by Elderly Users

   129 citations · 2006
5. 5
   Relating conversational expressiveness to social presence and acceptance of an assistive social robot

   110 citations · 2009
6. 6
   Studying the acceptance of a robotic agent by elderly users

   94 citations · 2006
7. 7
   Influence of Social Presence on Acceptance of an Assistive Social Robot and Screen Agent by Elderly Users

   93 citations · 2009
8. 8
   Effects of (in)accurate empathy and situational valence on attitudes towards robots

   93 citations · 2010
9. 9
   ‘Give me a hug’: the effects of touch and autonomy on people's responses to embodied social agents

   67 citations · 2009
10. 10
    Human-Robot User Studies in Eldercare: Lessons Learned

    50 citations · 2006

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links