Janan A. Smither
Papers
6
Total Citations
38
H-Index
3
About
Janan A. Smither is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human factors engineering and human-robot interaction, with a focus on making robotic systems more accessible and socially intuitive. Her work centers on two key areas: assistive robotic manipulation for individuals with disabilities, and the psychological dynamics of human-robot social presence. Smither’s most impactful contribution is her 2016 predictive model for assistive robotic manipulator performance, which identified ten critical human factors—including dexterity—that determine user success in pick-and-place tasks (13 citations). This foundational work has shaped inclusive design approaches for wheelchair-mounted robotic arms. She further demonstrated that age and gender significantly influence robotic manipulator performance, with her 2019 study (7 citations) revealing distinct predictor variables for different demographic groups. In social robotics, Smither’s 2024 investigation of embodiment perceptions and social presence (12 citations) broke new ground, while her exploration of user-robot personality interactions and trait loneliness has advanced understanding of parasocial relationships with machines. Her research consistently advocates for adaptive interfaces that accommodate user differences rather than forcing user adaptation, a philosophy evident in her work on compensations for assistive interfaces. Smither’s contributions are vital for developing robots that truly serve diverse human needs.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4Compensations for an Assistive Robotic Interface3 citations · 2017
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