Ilya Vidrin

Harvard University, Harvard University Press

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ilya Vidrin is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of movement science, robotics, and human-computer interaction, whose work fundamentally reimagines how machines can move expressively alongside humans. His core research areas include choreographic design for robotic systems, human dyadic coordination, and the quantification of partnered movement. Vidrin’s major contribution lies in bridging the gap between dance and engineering: his highly cited 2018 paper, *Choreographic and Somatic Approaches for the Development of Expressive Robotic Systems* (29 citations), argues that as robots enter human-facing environments, choreography becomes essential to their design and social interpretation. In parallel, his work *Quantifying Coordination in Human Dyads via a Measure of Verticality* (8 citations) introduces novel motion-capture models that correlate with features of interpersonal coordination, providing a rigorous framework for understanding what it means to truly partner with another being. By grounding technical analysis in deep inquiry into somatic practice, Vidrin has established a unique voice in human-robot interaction, offering both theoretical insight and practical metrics for designing machines that move not just functionally, but meaningfully.