Kunal Bagewadi

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Kunal Bagewadi is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and affective computing, with a particular focus on the nuanced dynamics of physical human-robot contact. His most cited work, the 2019 paper "Multimodal Dataset of Human-Robot Hugging Interaction," has garnered 2 citations and represents a foundational contribution to the field. In this study, Bagewadi and his colleagues recognized that a hug—though often lasting only seconds—is a deeply complex, coordinated process between two agents, filled with subtle details and emotional significance. By creating and analyzing a multimodal dataset of human-robot hugging interactions, he provided the research community with critical data for developing robots capable of engaging in socially appropriate, physically safe, and emotionally resonant embraces. This work is essential for advancing collaborative robotics, where trust and comfort between humans and machines are paramount. Dr. Bagewadi’s research directly addresses the challenges of designing robots that can interpret and respond to human affective cues through touch, paving the way for more natural and empathetic human-robot partnerships in healthcare, therapy, and everyday assistance.