Narae Cha

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Narae Cha is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and social robotics, with a focus on designing autonomous systems that foster positive social experiences. Her most notable contribution is the development of HelloBot, a social robot that proactively greets passersby and responds to their smiles to promote feelings of social inclusion and belongingness. This work, published in 2018, has garnered 4 citations and stands out for its innovative in-the-wild deployment, demonstrating how subtle, non-verbal cues like smiling can enhance human-robot engagement in public spaces. Cha’s research addresses a fundamental human need—social connection—by leveraging robotic behavior to create micro-moments of belonging. Her approach highlights the potential for robots to serve as social catalysts in everyday environments, bridging gaps in social interaction. Though early in her career, Cha’s work on HelloBot has laid a foundation for exploring how proactive, emotionally responsive robots can improve well-being and social cohesion, making her a promising voice in the field of socially assistive robotics.