Emily Wang
Papers
1
Total Citations
55
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Emily Wang is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on how subtle nonverbal cues shape human perceptions of robotic agents. Her most-cited work, "Effects of head movement on perceptions of humanoid robot behavior" (2006, 55 citations), is a landmark study that demonstrated how variations in a robot's head tracking—even under constant gestural behavior—can dramatically alter how people perceive the robot's attentiveness and social presence. In this experiment, subjects were invited to "play with Nico," an upper-torso humanoid robot, and subsequent surveys revealed that head movement alone could make the robot seem more engaged or mechanical. This foundational insight has influenced subsequent research in socially assistive robotics and human-robot teaming. Wang's work bridges robotics, cognitive science, and social psychology, offering critical design principles for creating more intuitive and acceptable robotic companions. Her contributions remain highly cited in discussions of embodied interaction and nonverbal communication in human-robot systems, underscoring her lasting impact on the field.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Effects of head movement on perceptions of humanoid robot behavior55 citations · 2006