Palash Nandy

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About

Palash Nandy’s research lies at the compelling intersection of human-robot interaction, empathy, and social robotics, exploring how people emotionally engage with machines. His most-cited work, “Empathic concern and the effect of stories in human-robot interaction” (2015, 21 citations), is a landmark study that investigates whether humans display empathic responses toward simple robotic objects. By asking participants to strike a robot and measuring their hesitation or reluctance, Nandy demonstrated that even minimal lifelike movements can trigger empathic concern—a finding with profound implications for designing socially aware robots. This work highlights his broader contribution: revealing the psychological mechanisms that underpin human-robot relationships, particularly the role of narrative and perceived agency. Nandy’s research has been influential in robotics ethics and human-robot collaboration, shaping how engineers and psychologists approach robot design to foster trust and emotional connection. His findings are frequently cited in studies on affective computing and social robotics, underscoring his impact on understanding how stories and movement can bridge the gap between humans and machines.