Hanan Zaichyk

Papers

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About

Hanan Zaichyk is a researcher advancing the field of socially aware human-robot interaction, with a focus on person-following robots. Her work bridges technical robotics and social conventions, addressing a critical gap: how robots can follow humans in ways that feel natural and appropriate across different contexts. Her most-cited paper, "Toward Socially Aware Person-Following Robots" (2018, 58 citations), lays the groundwork for designing robot behaviors that respect social norms, moving beyond purely technical solutions. She further explores this in "Task Influence on Perceptions of a Person-Following Robot and Following-Angle Preferences" (2019), where she investigates how a user’s activity—such as walking or carrying objects—affects their comfort with the robot’s following angle. This preliminary study, involving 32 participants, highlights her commitment to user-centered design. Zaichyk’s work is notable for its systematic approach to integrating social awareness into robotics, a key challenge for deploying robots in public spaces. With growing interest in assistive and service robots, her research provides essential insights for creating robots that are not only functional but also socially acceptable, making her a rising voice in the field of human-robot interaction.