Uta Sailer

University of Oslo, University of Gothenburg

Papers

Total Citations

230

H-Index

About

Uta Sailer is a leading researcher in affective touch and human-robot interaction, whose work reveals how gentle physical contact—whether from a human, animal, or machine—can profoundly influence emotional well-being. Her research centers on the neurophysiological and psychological effects of tactile stimulation, particularly the calming impact of slow, gentle stroking. In a highly cited 2020 review (122 citations), she synthesized evidence showing that small gestures like a tap on the shoulder can alter stress responses and promote mental health, bridging insights from human, animal, and robotic interaction. Her landmark 2013 study (108 citations) demonstrated that CT-optimized skin stroking delivered by a robot is perceived as comparably pleasant to human touch, a finding with major implications for assistive robotics and therapeutic technologies. Sailer’s work has been instrumental in establishing the scientific basis for affective touch as a tool for stress reduction and emotional regulation. By rigorously comparing manual and mechanical touch, she has opened new pathways for designing robots that can provide comfort, making her contributions essential for researchers in psychophysiology, haptics, and human-centered robotics.