Joost Mollen
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Joost Mollen is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on the psychological and social dynamics that emerge when people engage with non-anthropomorphic robots. His work explores how humans form meaningful bonds with machines that lack lifelike appearance or behavior, challenging traditional assumptions about the prerequisites for social attachment. In his most-cited study, "Bonding with a Couchsurfing Robot: The Impact of Common Locus on Human-Robot Bonding In-the-Wild" (2022, 4 citations), Mollen conducted a field experiment demonstrating that shared physical space and common locus—rather than human-like traits—can foster strong emotional connections between people and robots. This research has significant implications for designing robots for domestic, hospitality, and public settings, where social bonding enhances user experience and acceptance. Although his citation count is modest, Mollen’s work is notable for its innovative in-the-wild methodology and its challenge to dominant paradigms in social robotics. His contributions are particularly relevant for students and researchers interested in the intersection of psychology, design, and robotics, offering a fresh perspective on how we might live alongside machines.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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