Seminar: Anthropomorphic robot design – A differentiated look at the effectiveness of humanlike cues in HRI
- Date: Mar 21, 2023
- Time: 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
- Speaker: Linda Onnasch, Technische Universität Berlin
- Location: Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin
- Host: Center for Humans and Machines

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Linda Onnasch, Technische Universität Berlin
Anthropomorphic robot design – A differentiated look at the effectiveness of humanlike cues in HRI
The application of anthropomorphic design features is widely assumed to
facilitate human-robot interaction (HRI). Robots with human-like
features are expected to be more functionally adapted to a world
created for humans and moreover enable a more intuitive and smooth
interaction. Additionally, designers aim to shift the perception of
robots from a machine to that of a team partner in various fields of
application ranging from industrial manufacturing to
social interactions. But is this design approach generally beneficial
for HRI independently of the robot’s functionality? While current
research in social HRI supports this assumption broadly, a different
picture emerges in other domains. First studies in industrial
HRI have demonstrated, for example, that anthropomorphic design features
can undermine the perceived reliability and trustworthiness of
collaborative robots (cobots). In this seminar I will discuss these
(conflicting) findings and address factors that might
determine if anthropomorphism in robotic design is beneficial or
detrimental.
Before Linda started at the TU Berlin she was professor for Engineering Psychology at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
From 2015 to 2017 she worked as a scientific consultant at HFC Human-Factors-Consult. She has worked as an interdisciplinary project leader with international companies and research institutions. Since 2018, Linda is part of the executive committee of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society – Europe Chapter. She holds a PhD in psychology from TU Berlin, Germany.
Attend at the Max Planck
Institute for Human Development or join online.
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Meeting number: 2742 638 1555
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