Sarah Zabel
Papers
3
Total Citations
33
H-Index
3
About
Sarah Zabel is an emerging researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI) and augmented reality, with a particular focus on how humans and robots can share spaces safely, comfortably, and productively. Her most influential work centers on **human-robot proxemics** — the study of how physical distance between robots and people affects well-being and comfort in everyday environments. Her 2023 paper on proxemics for casual encounters in closed environments has already garnered 27 citations, signaling its rapid uptake as a foundational reference in the HRI community. This work critically examines existing distance conventions and contributes methodological insight into how "appropriate" robot proximity should be assessed — a question with real implications for the deployment of autonomous robots in public and semi-public spaces. Beyond proxemics, Zabel has expanded her research into multi-human-robot collaboration, exploring how augmented reality interfaces can support complex, real-world tasks such as timber construction — bridging HRI with applied industrial settings. Though early in her career, her growing body of work reflects a sharp focus on making robot integration more human-centered, context-aware, and practically grounded across diverse environments.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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