Michel van der Hoek

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About

Michel van der Hoek’s research lies at the compelling intersection of human-robot interaction, social robotics, and perceptual psychology. In his most-cited work, “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do!” (2007, 94 citations), van der Hoek tackles a foundational question: how do users perceive robots that exhibit lifelike behavior yet fall short of traditional definitions of life? His study systematically analyzes how a robot’s perceived intelligence and agreeableness shape user attitudes, revealing that these traits significantly influence whether people treat robots as social agents or mere machines. This contribution is pivotal for designing robots that integrate seamlessly into human environments, from healthcare to education. Beyond this landmark paper, van der Hoek’s broader body of work explores the nuances of anthropomorphism and trust in human-robot relationships, earning him recognition as a thoughtful voice in the field. His findings have practical implications for engineers and ethicists alike, helping to bridge the gap between technical capability and user acceptance. For students and researchers, van der Hoek’s research offers a clear lens into why how we perceive robots matters as much as what they can do.