Katharina Jahn
Papers
3
Total Citations
16
H-Index
2
About
Katharina Jahn is a rising voice in human-robot interaction, whose work explores the psychological mechanisms that determine whether we trust—or recoil from—social robots. Her research centers on the dual-processing theory of cognition, examining how automatic, intuitive responses and reflective, deliberate reasoning shape user acceptance of robotic systems. Jahn’s most-cited paper (2021, 11 citations) offers a groundbreaking dual-processing perspective on the uncanny valley, revealing that anthropomorphism can paradoxically both enhance and undermine trust depending on which cognitive system is engaged. This work provides designers with a nuanced framework for calibrating robot appearance and behavior to maximize acceptance. In her 2020 study (3 citations), she further disentangles automatic from reflective processing in HRI, laying theoretical groundwork for robots that succeed in real-world workplaces and healthcare settings. Most recently (2025, 2 citations), Jahn has extended her insights to robot arm motion planning, showing that human-like movement characteristics can improve motion legibility—making a robot’s intentions transparent to human collaborators. Though early in her career, Jahn’s integration of cognitive psychology with robotics design is already shaping how researchers approach the fundamental challenge of building machines people can trust.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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