Conor McGinn
Papers
29
Total Citations
630
H-Index
13
About
Conor McGinn is a robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction (HRI), and assistive technology. He is perhaps best known for his development of Stevie, a socially assistive robot designed through human-centered "design-thinking" methodologies and deployed in long-term care facilities to support older adults and professional caregivers. This work, along with related studies exploring user perceptions of social robots, has collectively garnered over 120 citations, underscoring its influence in the field. McGinn's research tackles fundamental questions about robot design — including why robots benefit from having heads and how vocal characteristics shape user perception — with his 2019 voice study alone attracting 110 citations. His interests extend beyond social robotics into healthcare applications, including autonomous UV disinfection robots for hospital radiology departments, a timely contribution accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also contributed to methodological rigor in HRI research through a widely cited taxonomy of qualitative methods, and has explored unconventional structural engineering through auxetic cylindrical structures. Across these diverse threads, McGinn consistently champions human-centered design principles, making his work highly relevant to students and practitioners seeking to build robots that genuinely serve people.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3Why Do Robots Need a Head? The Role of Social Interfaces on Service Robots53 citations · 2019
- 4Exploring the Applicability of Robot-Assisted UV Disinfection in Radiology53 citations · 2021
- 5Qualitative Research in HRI: A Review and Taxonomy46 citations · 2021
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- 8Exploring the Design Space of Therapeutic Robot Companions for Children25 citations · 2021
- 9How context shapes the appropriateness of a robot’s voice24 citations · 2020
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