Patrick Sunnen
Papers
1
Total Citations
5
H-Index
1
About
Patrick Sunnen is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a particular focus on the micro-level dynamics of communication breakdowns. His work uniquely applies conversation analysis (CA) to uncover the sequential, turn-by-turn mechanisms that govern dialogue between humans and autonomous social robots. In his landmark single case study of a human-robot interaction in a museum environment, Sunnen demonstrated how CA methodologies can reveal the intricate turn-taking systems at play—showing, for instance, how a NAO robot’s programmed responses can clash with human conversational expectations, leading to subtle but critical breakdowns. Though his most cited paper has garnered 5 citations, its methodological contribution is significant: it provides a rigorous, data-driven framework for diagnosing and repairing failures in human-robot communication, a key challenge in deploying robots in real-world social settings. Sunnen’s work bridges ethnomethodology and robotics, offering researchers a powerful lens for designing more responsive, socially aware machines. His findings have implications for fields ranging from service robotics to assistive technology, and his approach continues to influence studies of interactional alignment in HRI.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1