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About

Marcelo Penas is a researcher focused on the intersection of robotics, human-robot interaction, and retail technology. His work explores how service robots can enhance customer experiences, particularly through intuitive, gesture-based communication. In his most cited work, "A Personal Robot as an Improvement to the Customers’ In-store Experience" (2018, 11 citations), Penas investigates how autonomous robots can transform retail environments by engaging shoppers and streamlining service delivery. He argues that as consumer expectations evolve, robots offer a novel solution to keep customers engaged and improve in-store satisfaction. Complementing this, his research on "Human-Robot Interaction Based on Gestures for Service Robots" (2017, 6 citations) advances the design of non-verbal communication systems, making robots more accessible and natural to interact with. Penas’s contributions sit at the crossroads of engineering and user experience, demonstrating how robotics can move beyond industrial settings into everyday consumer spaces. His work has practical implications for the future of retail, hospitality, and personal assistance, highlighting the growing role of autonomous systems in human-centered environments.