Ravindra de Silva
Toyohashi University of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Papers
3
Total Citations
57
H-Index
2
About
Ravindra de Silva is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a focus on how people perceive and engage with robots in social and therapeutic contexts. His work bridges cross-cultural robotics, assistive technology, and adaptive human-robot communication. De Silva’s most influential study, “Three's company, or a crowd?” (2015, 52 citations), investigates how the number and behavior of robots affect human responses across Japan and the USA, revealing critical cultural differences in HRI—a foundational contribution to designing robots for diverse global users. He also explores robots as mediators for vulnerable populations, notably with the “Sorting Hat” (2020), a Harry Potter-inspired social robot that helps autistic children bridge communication gaps by encouraging emotional expression. Additionally, his project “AuDimo” (2020) introduces a musical companion robot that adapts audio tracks by recognizing user engagement, blending affective computing with interactive entertainment. Through these works, de Silva advances the design of socially aware robots that are culturally sensitive, emotionally supportive, and responsive to human behavior, making him a notable figure in socially assistive robotics and cross-cultural HRI.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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