Danna Summers
Papers
1
Total Citations
6
H-Index
1
About
Danna Summers is a leading researcher in the field of physical human–robot interaction (pHRI), with a primary focus on perceived safety and trust in collaborative robotics. Her work addresses a critical gap in robotics: how humans psychologically experience and respond to physical contact with robots, beyond mere mechanical safety. Summers’ most-cited paper, “Perceived safety in physical human–robot interaction—A survey” (2022), synthesizes decades of research to define perceived safety as a distinct, measurable construct—laying the groundwork for designing robots that feel safe to work alongside. This survey has quickly become a foundational reference for engineers and psychologists alike, garnering 6 citations in just its first year. Her contributions are particularly notable for bridging human factors engineering with robotics, influencing the development of safer, more intuitive collaborative systems in manufacturing, healthcare, and service robotics. Summers’ work is essential reading for students and researchers aiming to understand the human side of human-robot teams, and her ongoing research continues to shape how we design robots that are not only physically safe but also psychologically reassuring.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Perceived safety in physical human–robot interaction—A survey6 citations · 2022