Nathan Burke

About

Nathan Burke is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), specializing in the design of assistive robots and smart-home environments for elderly care. His work centers on end-user personalization and the development of intuitive, socially acceptable robotic companions. Burke’s most influential paper, “Teach Me—Show Me,” (130 citations) introduces a novel framework that allows non-expert users to personalize a smart home and companion robot through demonstration, addressing critical challenges in adapting assistive technology to individual needs. This work has become a foundational reference for researchers seeking to make robots more accessible and responsive to elderly users. Beyond technical innovation, Burke explores the social dimensions of HRI through creative collaborations. His studies on robot etiquette and living with robots, developed with artists who resided in the UH Robot House, offer unique insights into designing natural, graceful interactions for long-term home deployment. By bridging engineering, user-centered design, and artistic practice, Burke’s research provides a holistic vision for how robots can become trusted, personalized partners in aging-in-place scenarios.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   “Teach Me–Show Me”—End-User Personalization of a Smart Home and Companion Robot

   130 citations · 2015
2. 2
   Exploring Robot Etiquette: Refining a HRI Home Companion Scenario Based on Feedback from Two Artists Who Lived with Robots in the UH Robot House

   12 citations · 2013
3. 3
   Artists as HRI Pioneers: A Creative Approach to Developing Novel Interactions for Living with Robots

   11 citations · 2013

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links