Karl Drejing

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Karl Drejing’s research lies at the compelling intersection of human-robot interaction, cognitive science, and motivational psychology, where he investigates the subtle mechanisms that make social robots feel truly present and responsive. His most influential work, “Engagement: A traceable motivational concept in human-robot interaction” (2015, 13 citations), provides a foundational framework for understanding engagement not as a vague feeling, but as a measurable, traceable construct. By dissecting how humans naturally detect and signal engagement in social exchanges, Drejing offers roboticists a concrete roadmap for designing machines that can read and respond to human motivational states. This contribution is critical for advancing robots from simple tools to genuine social partners, with implications for assistive technology, education, and collaborative work. Though his citation count reflects a focused, emerging field, Drejing’s conceptual clarity and emphasis on operationalizing engagement have made his work a key reference for researchers striving to build more intuitive and socially aware autonomous systems.