Laura A. Carlson
Papers
1
Total Citations
15
H-Index
1
About
Laura A. Carlson is a leading cognitive scientist whose research lies at the intersection of spatial language, human-robot interaction, and cognitive aging. Her work explores how people describe and understand spatial relationships, with a particular focus on designing assistive technologies for older adults. In a highly cited 2014 study, Carlson developed a corpus of spatial descriptions and engineered a human-driven robot comprehension system for a "fetch" task in an eldercare setting. This contribution demonstrated how robots can interpret natural language commands from elderly users, bridging the gap between human cognition and robotic action. With over 15 citations on this key paper alone, her research has significantly influenced the fields of spatial cognition and human-robot communication. Carlson’s work is notable for its applied impact—improving quality of life for aging populations—and for advancing theoretical understanding of how spatial language is produced and understood across the lifespan. Her interdisciplinary approach continues to shape how robots can become more intuitive and accessible companions in everyday environments.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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