Daniel Leithinger
University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado System
Papers
12
Total Citations
215
H-Index
6
About
Daniel Leithinger is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-computer interaction, haptics, and robotics, whose work fundamentally reimagines how people physically experience digital environments. Best known for RoomShift (2020), his most-cited contribution with 117 citations, Leithinger demonstrated how swarm robotics could dynamically reshape physical spaces to deliver room-scale haptic feedback in virtual reality — a breakthrough that redefined what immersive VR environments could feel like. His research extends into emotional robotic touch, exploring how machines might communicate nuance and feeling through physical contact, as seen in TactorBots and EmotiTactor, which collectively examine how designers and users make meaning from artificial haptic experiences. Leithinger also investigates expandable-structure robots for human-robot interaction and electro-actuated materials as next-generation haptic interfaces, pushing the boundaries of responsive, intelligent environments. A distinctive thread in his portfolio is participatory design with children, conducting longitudinal studies using tabletop telepresence robots to explore collaborative creativity across distances. Spanning VR, soft robotics, and inclusive design methodologies, Leithinger's body of work consistently bridges physical and digital worlds with imagination and rigor.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1RoomShift: Room-scale Dynamic Haptics for VR with Furniture-moving Swarm Robots117 citations · 2020
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- 4Designing Expandable-Structure Robots for Human-Robot Interaction13 citations · 2022
- 5EmotiTactor: Exploring How Designers Approach Emotional Robotic Touch11 citations · 2022
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- 7Demonstrating HapticBots6 citations · 2021
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- 9Electro-actuated Materials for Future Haptic Interfaces3 citations · 2023
- 10