Alexander Mertens
Papers
29
Total Citations
350
H-Index
9
About
Alexander Mertens is a prominent researcher specializing in human-robot interaction, ergonomics, and the integration of robotic systems into both industrial and eldercare environments. His work bridges the gap between technological capability and human-centered design, making him a key figure in advancing safe, efficient, and socially acceptable human-robot collaboration. Mertens has made significant contributions to the field through his development and adaptation of acceptance models for robotic systems, most notably his widely cited "TAM Reloaded" framework (2016, 85 citations), which extended the Technology Acceptance Model to address the unique dynamics of human-robot cooperation in production settings. His empirical research on proxemics in service robotics (52 citations) has directly informed ergonomic guidelines for how robots should approach humans, a critical safety and usability concern. Beyond industrial applications, Mertens has explored assistive robotics for senior citizens and pioneered the concept of the "Human Digital Shadow" — a data-driven approach to modeling human behavior within smart production environments. His ethical, legal, and social analyses of human-robot collaboration further demonstrate his commitment to responsible innovation. With research spanning cognitive assembly planning, anthropomorphic robot movement, and collaborative workplaces, Mertens has established himself as a versatile and impactful voice in the future of human-centered automation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 8Human-Robot Collaboration in Manual Assembly – A Collaborative Workplace10 citations · 2018
- 9HUMAN-ROBOT SYNERGY FOR COOPERATIVE ROBOTS10 citations · 2016
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