Penny Kong
Papers
3
Total Citations
50
H-Index
3
About
Penny Kong is a researcher specializing in human-robot interaction, emotional design, and autonomous mobility systems. Her work sits at the intersection of user experience, emerging technologies, and public transportation, exploring how thoughtful design can bridge the gap between humans and increasingly automated environments. Kong's most influential contribution, "Personas and Emotional Design for Public Service Robots" (2018, 28 citations), established a foundational framework for applying persona-based and emotionally resonant design principles to autonomous vehicles, addressing the critical challenge of human absence in AI-driven systems. Building on this, her 2022 virtual reality study (19 citations) examined how varying robot designs shape human compliance and emotional response in public transport contexts — a timely inquiry as autonomous systems become embedded in everyday infrastructure. Her 2021 work further investigated contrasting companion concepts — virtual versus anthropomorphic robots — for shared autonomous mobility in Singapore, reflecting her commitment to real-world, culturally grounded design evaluation. Across her research, Kong champions the idea that successful deployment of autonomous systems depends not merely on technical capability but on human-centered design that fosters trust, comfort, and emotional connection. Her work offers valuable guidance for designers, engineers, and policymakers navigating the human dimensions of future mobility.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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