About

Jens Gerken is a prominent researcher at the intersection of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), assistive robotics, and augmented reality, whose work is reshaping how humans and robots collaborate across diverse contexts. His research spans two compelling threads: making robots more intelligible and controllable for general users, and ensuring that people with motor disabilities can meaningfully benefit from robotic assistance. Gerken's most-cited contribution, a 2023 scoping review on communicating robot motion intent (65 citations), has become a foundational reference for researchers designing transparent, collaborative robotic systems. His work on augmented reality-enhanced teleoperation (58 citations) demonstrated tangible performance improvements in manipulation tasks, while his exploration of GPT-powered variable autonomy signals his engagement with cutting-edge AI integration in robotics. What distinguishes Gerken is his sustained commitment to participatory, user-centered design. Across three multiyear projects reflected in his 2021 publication (26 citations), he foregrounds the lived experiences of people with disabilities rather than treating them as secondary to technological development. His development of the AdaptiX XR framework further illustrates his drive to build practical, evaluable tools for assistive robotics research. With a growing citation record and interdisciplinary reach, Gerken represents a vital voice in designing robotic futures that are both intelligent and genuinely inclusive.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

10
H-Index
23
Papers
310
Total Citations
13
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
How to Communicate Robot Motion Intent: A Scoping Review
65 citations · 2023
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2024 (6 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 30
🏛 Institutions: South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration and Management, TU Dortmund University

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 14 days ago