Simon Betz

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About

Simon Betz is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction and speech synthesis, with a focus on making artificial communication more natural and socially aware. His work centers on two key areas: the evaluation of speech synthesis systems and the implementation of disfluent, human-like behaviors in robots. Betz’s major contribution is his critique of traditional speech synthesis evaluation methods, which he argues rely too heavily on small-scale, decontextualized laboratory tests. In his 2017 paper, he advocates for a “social turn” in evaluation, emphasizing the need for ecologically valid, interaction-based assessments that capture real-world communicative success. This work has been cited 8 times and is foundational for researchers seeking to improve the relevance of speech technology testing. In parallel, Betz has pioneered the implementation of hesitation in robots. His 2018 paper details a robot that dynamically inserts disfluencies—such as filled pauses—based on the human partner’s attention, making interactions feel more responsive and natural. This work, also with 8 citations, demonstrates his commitment to bridging the gap between technical performance and social intelligence. Betz’s research is notable for its practical, human-centered approach, offering concrete strategies for building robots that are not just functional, but genuinely engaging.