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About

Hwei Geok Ng is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI) and intelligent robotic perception. Her work focuses on making robots more socially aware and physically capable, with key contributions in personalised dialogue systems and multi-sensory robotic learning. Ng’s most cited paper (66 citations) explores how personalisation in HRI enables robots to adapt conversations to user preferences, fostering more natural and engaging interactions—a foundational concept for companion robots. She also advances haptic intelligence, developing a multi-channel neural network (36 citations) that allows robots to classify materials by touch, mimicking human exploratory procedures. This work bridges deep learning with robotic manipulation, as seen in her proof-of-concept system combining visuomotor coordination with object detection for autonomous object-picking. Ng’s research is notable for its cognitive inspiration, drawing from human perception to design more intuitive robot behaviours. Her achievements include the creation of interaction scenarios for the Neuro-Inspired Companion (NICO) robot, which demonstrates real-time face tracking, memory, and personalised dialogue. With a growing citation impact across HRI, haptics, and deep learning, Ng is shaping the future of robots that can both understand and physically engage with their environment.