Lucy Anderson-Bashan

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About

Dr. Lucy Anderson-Bashan is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a specific focus on the subtle social dynamics that shape our encounters with machines. Her work centers on designing abstract, non-humanoid robotic systems that can communicate complex social cues, challenging the assumption that robots must resemble humans to be socially effective. Her most influential contribution is the "Greeting Machine," an abstract robotic object introduced in her highly cited 2018 paper (89 citations), which demonstrates how robots can use minimal, non-anthropomorphic movements to convey positive and negative social signals during opening encounters. This work has reshaped how researchers think about the fundamental elements of social robotics, showing that even abstract forms can participate in the rituals of human relationship-building. Anderson-Bashan’s research bridges robotics, social psychology, and design, offering a novel framework for creating machines that integrate seamlessly into everyday social life. Her contributions are essential reading for anyone interested in how robots can become more than tools—becoming genuine social partners through the careful orchestration of movement and interaction.