Xiaobei Qian

Papers

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About

Xiaobei Qian is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, affective computing, and dialogue systems. Her work focuses on developing socially intelligent robots capable of understanding and responding to human emotional and physical needs, particularly in caregiving contexts for ageing populations. Qian’s most cited paper, “Inferring Stressors from Conversation: Towards an Emotional Support Robot Companion” (2022, 8 citations), introduces methods for robots to detect stress triggers from natural dialogue, enabling empathetic, real-time support. Her earlier influential work, “Recommendation dialogue system through pragmatic argumentation” (2017, 6 citations), proposes a novel framework where robotic caregivers use pragmatic arguments—such as highlighting the personal benefits of eating suitable fruits—to gently persuade elderly individuals toward healthier behaviors. This approach moves beyond simple commands to foster genuine understanding and motivation. Qian’s contributions are foundational to building companion robots that are not only functional but emotionally attuned, with direct applications in elder care and mental health support. Her research continues to shape how machines can serve as compassionate partners in daily life.