Catherine Caudwell

Papers

Total Citations

175

H-Index

About

Catherine Caudwell’s research sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, design ethics, and critical technology studies, with a particular focus on how social robots shape—and sometimes manipulate—human relationships. Her most influential work introduces the concept of cuteness as a “dark pattern” in home robotics, revealing how deliberately endearing robot behaviors can exploit users’ emotional vulnerabilities to encourage prolonged engagement or data sharing. In her landmark 2019 paper on this topic (95 citations), Caudwell expands the dark patterns framework beyond screen-based interfaces into the physical, embodied realm of domestic robots. Her companion study (73 citations) further unpacks the ambivalent power of cuteness, showing how robots like Jibo and Kuri wield charm to negotiate care, companionship, and control within the home. By drawing on character animation and behavioral psychology, Caudwell demonstrates that these seemingly innocent designs carry subtle but consequential persuasive power. Her work has been instrumental in prompting designers and policymakers to reconsider the ethics of affective robotics. Though her 2018 paper on robotic archetypes has fewer citations, it lays foundational groundwork for understanding how animated character tropes inform user expectations. Caudwell’s research is essential reading for anyone interested in designing robots that are not only engaging but also honest.