Marge Zielke

Papers

Total Citations

139

H-Index

About

Marge Zielke’s research sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, aesthetics, and the psychology of design, challenging long-held assumptions in robotics. Her most influential work, “Upending the uncanny valley” (2005, 139 citations), argues that the widely accepted “uncanny valley” hypothesis—that near-humanlike robots provoke unease—is too simplistic. Drawing on examples from art history, including Rodin’s *Thinker* and Disney’s Abraham Lincoln simulacrum, Zielke demonstrates that skilled design can make highly realistic representations not only acceptable but revered. This contribution reframes how roboticists approach human likeness, shifting focus from avoidance of eeriness to the craft of aesthetic integration. Beyond this paper, her broader work explores how cultural and artistic traditions inform the design of socially interactive robots, advocating for a more nuanced, human-centered approach. Zielke’s insights have influenced both academic discourse and practical design guidelines, earning her recognition as a thoughtful critic of technological determinism. For students and researchers, her work is a compelling reminder that engineering and art are not opposites, but partners in creating machines that resonate with people.