Matthias Messner
Papers
1
Total Citations
13
H-Index
1
About
Matthias Messner is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on how robots’ physical appearance shapes human behavior in domestic settings. His work bridges social psychology and robotics, exploring how design elements influence trust, emotional response, and interpersonal distance. In his highly cited study “Come Closer: Experimental Investigation of Robots’ Appearance on Proximity, Affect and Trust in a Domestic Environment” (2020, 13 citations), Messner demonstrated that a robot’s look—ranging from mechanical to humanoid—directly affects how closely people are willing to approach it, as well as their feelings of trust and positive affect. This foundational research provides critical insights for designing socially acceptable home robots, helping users acclimate to robotic companions. By experimentally isolating appearance as a key variable, Messner has advanced practical guidelines for engineers and designers aiming to foster comfortable, trusting human-robot relationships. His work is essential reading for students and researchers interested in the psychological underpinnings of domestic robotics and the future of human-robot coexistence.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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