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About

Stephen Yang is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, specializing in the design and social dynamics of non-anthropomorphic service robots. His work focuses on how everyday objects—like trash barrels, footstools, and drawers—can be imbued with robotic capabilities to engage people in public and private spaces. Yang’s major contributions include developing frameworks for socially acceptable robot behavior, particularly in initiating and negotiating interactions with unsuspecting humans. His most cited work, "Mechanical Ottoman" (145 citations), explores how a robotic footstool can coordinate joint action by approaching seated individuals and offering foot support, while his studies on a robotic trash barrel (71 and 21 citations) reveal the complex coordination and implicit protocols required for public service robots. Yang also investigates emotional expression in robots, as seen in "Empathy" (18 citations), and collaborative tasks with interactive robotic drawers (17 citations). His innovative approach extends to transforming steering wheels for autonomous vehicles ("Reinventing the Wheel," 16 citations) and using collaborative improvisation to enhance design thinking (13 citations). With over 300 total citations, Yang’s work is foundational for understanding how robots can seamlessly integrate into human environments, making him a key figure in the field of social robotics.