Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Chidchanok Thepsoonthorn is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a focus on how a robot’s nonverbal behavior—such as gaze, head nodding, and gestures—shapes human perception and likability. Her work critically examines the psychological and personality-based factors that influence successful human-robot engagement, bridging robotics with social psychology. In her highly cited 2018 study (25 citations), she demonstrated that a robot’s nonverbal cues can be tailored to match human personality traits, significantly boosting likability. Her 2021 exploration of the Uncanny Valley (24 citations) broke new ground by shifting focus from robotic appearance to nonverbal behavior, revealing that mismatched or unnatural movements can trigger discomfort even in realistic robots. Thepsoonthorn’s 2017 study further challenged assumptions, questioning whether human-like gaze and nodding always outperform non-human behaviors in HRI. Her cumulative work—garnering over 50 citations—has been instrumental in designing more socially intuitive robots, offering actionable insights for engineers and psychologists alike. By centering the human factor, she has advanced the field toward more natural, trust-based interactions between people and machines.