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About

Niels van Berkel is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, focusing on how social robots can be seamlessly integrated into everyday human environments. His work primarily explores the social norms governing robot behavior, particularly during initial encounters and sensitive interactions. In his highly cited paper "Making Appearances" (38 citations), van Berkel investigates what people consider socially normative robot behaviors, laying groundwork for robots that are accepted rather than rejected by users. His earlier influential study on approach speed and functional noise (26 citations) demonstrates how subtle multimodal signals during a robot's approach can determine the success of subsequent interactions. More recently, van Berkel has ventured into the challenging domain of health communication, examining how large language models can enable robots to mediate sensitive disclosures between parents and young adults. His critical perspective on domestic robotics, articulated in "Briefly Entertaining but Pointless" (2023), reveals the perceived benefits and risks that currently hinder social robots from entering homes. Through this body of work, van Berkel has established himself as a thoughtful voice in designing robots that are not only functional but socially attuned to human needs.