Cheng Wen

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Cheng Wen is a pioneering researcher in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), with a focused expertise in Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) for health interventions. Their most cited work, "Comparing backstories of a Socially Assistive Robot exercise buddy for adolescent youth" (2016, 14 citations), makes a significant contribution by empirically investigating how robot backstory design—comparing fictional versus realistic narratives—influences user engagement. Conducted as a four-session exercise intervention with overweight adolescents aged 11–14, this study demonstrated a notably positive participant response to the robot as an exercise buddy, highlighting the critical role of narrative in fostering user-robot rapport. This research bridges robotics, psychology, and adolescent health, offering actionable insights for designing more effective, autonomous SAR systems. Wen’s work is foundational for developing socially intelligent robots that can motivate behavioral change, particularly in youth populations. By systematically examining how a robot’s perceived history impacts trust and adherence, they have advanced the practical application of SAR in real-world health contexts. Their findings continue to influence subsequent HRI studies on personalization and user-centered design, marking Wen as a key contributor to the growing field of socially assistive technologies.