Ting-Han Lin

University of Chicago

Papers

7

Total Citations

70

H-Index

4

About

Ting-Han Lin is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction and social robotics, whose work explores how technology can foster meaningful human connections. Their key research areas include social robotics, actuated tangible user interfaces, and human-robot rapport, with a focus on designing robots that facilitate genuine interpersonal interactions. Lin's most cited work, "Ice-Breaking Technology" (31 citations), demonstrates that robots and computers can help strangers overcome social barriers to form meaningful in-person connections, challenging assumptions about technology's isolating effects. Their innovative "ThrowIO" system (17 citations) introduces a novel actuated tangible user interface where users throw and catch magnetically embedded objects to overhanging mobile robots, pushing the boundaries of spatial interaction design. Lin has also developed the "Connection-Coordination Rapport (CCR) Scale," a dual-factor measurement tool for assessing human-robot rapport, and explored how robot characters can increase user engagement through narrative and gameplay agency in immersive environments. Their work on robot-mediated decision-making tasks reveals how a robot's agreement or disagreement can influence human-human interpersonal closeness. With a rapidly growing citation count and publications spanning top venues, Lin is establishing themselves as a leading voice in understanding how robots can bridge social gaps and enhance human connection.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

4
H-Index
7
Papers
70
Total Citations
10
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Ice-Breaking Technology: Robots and Computers Can Foster Meaningful Connections between Strangers through In-Person Conversations
31 citations · 2023
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2025 (3 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 13
🏛 Institutions: University of Chicago

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 13 days ago