Jude Afana
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Jude Afana is a researcher at the intersection of human-computer interaction, soma design, and human-robot interaction. Their work fundamentally reimagines how we relate to robotic systems, moving beyond conventional frameworks that treat collisions as failures to be avoided. In their highly influential paper "Tangles: Unpacking Extended Collision Experiences with Soma Trajectories" (2025, 3 citations), Afana introduces a paradigm shift by reframing physical collisions with robots as meaningful, embodied experiences worthy of design attention. Through a soma design workshop exploring collisions with telepresence robots and mobility aids, Afana demonstrates how these moments of contact can become rich sites for understanding human-robot relationships. This work challenges the dominant safety-obsessed narrative in robotics, proposing instead that entanglements and tangles offer valuable insights into how bodies interact with technology. Afana's contributions are particularly notable for bridging somaesthetic theory with practical robot design, opening new avenues for creating more nuanced, human-centered robotic interactions. Their research continues to influence how designers and engineers think about the physical, felt dimensions of human-robot encounters.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Tangles: Unpacking Extended Collision Experiences with Soma Trajectories3 citations · 2025