Mike Hess

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About

Mike Hess is a leading figure in human-robot interaction, with a focus on designing social robots that forge meaningful, long-term connections with children. His most influential work centers on the development and deployment of Tega, an expressive, "squash and stretch" Android-based social robot platform. In his seminal 2016 paper, "Tega: A social robot" (37 citations), Hess introduced a robot specifically engineered to sustain engagement over time, addressing a critical challenge in educational and therapeutic robotics. By prioritizing a soft, physically expressive form and robust interactive capabilities, Hess’s contributions have helped shift the field toward more durable, emotionally resonant child-robot relationships. His research demonstrates how carefully designed platforms can support learning and social development, laying the groundwork for future studies in long-term child-robot interaction. Through Tega, Hess has provided a vital tool for exploring how robots can become trusted companions, not just novelty toys, in children’s lives.