Shaun Macdonald
Papers
2
Total Citations
9
H-Index
2
About
Shaun Macdonald is a rising researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and affective computing, with a focus on designing emotionally resonant experiences with social robots. His work explores how subtle, non-verbal cues—such as vibrotactile feedback and expressive motion—can deepen human-robot bonds. In his most-cited paper, "Soothing Sensations: Enhancing Interactions with a Socially Assistive Robot through Vibrotactile Heartbeats" (2024, 7 citations), Macdonald demonstrates how embedding a simulated heartbeat into a robot’s shell can significantly enhance users’ sense of comfort and connection during physical touch. This work pioneers a new dimension in haptic interaction for socially assistive robots (SARs), moving beyond mere texture or movement to incorporate physiological mimicry. His second notable paper, "Evaluating Transferable Emotion Expressions for Zoomorphic Social Robots using VR Prototyping" (2024, 2 citations), tackles the challenge of limited emotional expressivity in pet-like robots. By leveraging virtual reality prototyping, Macdonald shows how transferable, dynamic expressions can be designed and tested affordably, paving the way for more emotionally intelligent companions. Though early in his career, Macdonald’s contributions are already shaping how we design robots that feel not just functional, but genuinely soothing and companionable.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2