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About

Yoonhyuk Jung is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a particular focus on the affective and cognitive responses that shape user acceptance of humanoid robots. His work critically examines the uncanny valley (UCV) model, a foundational theory in HRI that links a robot’s human resemblance to user attitudes. Jung’s key contributions include demonstrating how context—such as the type of service or expertise required—moderates these responses, moving beyond one-size-fits-all models. His most cited paper (38 citations) investigates the real-world adoption of care robots in elderly facilities, capturing the nuanced perspectives of care managers and workers. This work highlights the practical barriers and perceptual challenges in deploying robots for vulnerable populations. With additional studies exploring user affect and cognition across different service contexts, Jung has advanced our understanding of how emotional and cognitive factors interact with robot design. His research is essential for developers and policymakers aiming to create socially acceptable, context-aware robotic systems.