Reinhold Esterbauer

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Reinhold Esterbauer is a leading voice in the philosophy of technology, with a focused expertise on the ethics and phenomenology of human-robot interaction. His work critically examines how humans relate to autonomous systems, moving beyond functional assessments to explore the deeper, relational dimensions of trust. In his highly influential paper "Trusting robots: a relational trust definition based on human intentionality" (2024, 14 citations), Esterbauer challenges purely mechanistic models by arguing that genuine trust requires a framework grounded in human intentionality and mutual recognition. This contribution is pivotal for shaping responsible AI design and ethical guidelines for social robotics. His research bridges continental philosophy and cognitive science, offering a nuanced understanding of how embodied interaction and shared meaning-making shape our relationships with machines. By reframing trust as a relational, rather than merely operational, concept, Esterbauer provides essential insights for engineers, ethicists, and policymakers navigating the complexities of an increasingly automated world.