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About

Lars Erik Holmquist is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI) and interaction design, known for challenging conventional approaches to robotics. His work centers on designing personal embodied agents—robots intended for everyday environments rather than industrial settings. Holmquist’s major contributions include developing the "transfer scenarios" method (74 citations), which uses marginal practices to inspire innovative yet human-centered technology design. He also introduced the influential "robot cargo cult" critique (26 citations), warning against superficial imitation in robotics research. His GlowBots project (14 citations) demonstrated how small, visually expressive robots can create subtle, sustained engagement through dynamic LED patterns and inter-robot communication. Holmquist has edited a special issue of the *Journal of Human-Robot Interaction* on design (11 citations), emphasizing design’s integral role in HRI. By adapting methods like personas for robot design and advocating for grounded, user-focused innovation, he has shaped how researchers approach robotics for everyday life. His work remains essential reading for students and researchers seeking to move beyond technical novelty toward meaningful human-robot relationships.