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About

Tanja Heuer is a researcher specializing in social robotics, human-robot interaction, and privacy-by-design principles, with a particular focus on the ethical and technical challenges of deploying autonomous robots in everyday environments. Her most influential work, "Privacy-centered design for social robots" (2019, 22 citations), established a foundational framework for addressing the significant data privacy concerns that arise when companion robots continuously collect sensitive audio and video information from users. This contribution was further developed through her meta-study on privacy and socially assistive robots (2018) and her subsequent privacy framework for context-aware robot development (2021), collectively positioning her as a leading voice on responsible robot design. Beyond privacy, Heuer has contributed to applied robotics through her neural network-based ball detection research for RoboCup 2017 and has explored how robot appearance influences public willingness to engage with automated systems. Her educational work, including the interdisciplinary MuseumsBot project, demonstrates a commitment to broadening robotics literacy. With over 65 cumulative citations across her most recognized publications, Heuer's research bridges technical implementation and humanistic concern, making her work essential reading for anyone navigating the intersection of robotics, data ethics, and human-centered design.