Laura Cang

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Laura Cang is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, specializing in affective computing and tangible interfaces for emotional well-being. Her work centers on designing robotic systems that leverage touch as a primary communication channel to mitigate stress and anxiety. Cang’s most notable contribution is the development of the “CuddleBot,” a cat-sized robot with a full-body, flexible fabric pressure sensor that can move, purr, and alter its breathing patterns. In her seminal paper “CuddleBits” (2015, 10 citations), she introduced a real-time touch gesture recognition system mounted on a small zoomorphic robot, exploring how gesture recognition influences affect. Her follow-up work, “Introducing the Cuddlebot” (2015, 4 citations), demonstrated how these touch interactions can actively reduce anxiety. Though her citation counts are modest, Cang’s research is foundational in the niche field of therapeutic robotics, bridging haptic sensing and emotional design. Her innovative use of low-cost fabric sensors and zoomorphic forms has inspired subsequent work on socially assistive robots, making her a key figure in developing empathetic, touch-based interfaces for mental health support.