Matthieu Destephe
Papers
14
Total Citations
209
H-Index
7
About
Matthieu Destephe is a researcher specializing in human-robot interaction (HRI), social robotics, and emotional expression in humanoid robots. His work sits at a compelling intersection of robotics, psychology, and affective computing, exploring how robots can communicate emotions through movement, appearance, and behavior. Destephe is perhaps best known for his pioneering investigations into the Uncanny Valley phenomenon, particularly his highly cited 2015 study (76 citations) examining how a robot's attractiveness influences its acceptance as a working partner. This research helped clarify one of HRI's most debated yet poorly understood concepts. Equally significant is his sustained focus on emotional gait — the idea that humanoid robots can convey feelings such as happiness and sadness through the way they walk, without relying on facial expressions alone. This body of work, spanning multiple publications from 2013 to 2014, has collectively shaped how researchers approach expressive locomotion in robotics. His research also ventures into sensitive clinical territory, investigating how individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder perceive uncanniness in robotic movement — an underexplored area with meaningful therapeutic implications. With contributions ranging from bio-inspired expressive walking to culturally adapted robotic facial design, Destephe has established himself as a versatile and impactful voice in making robots more socially and emotionally intelligent.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3The influences of emotional intensity for happiness and sadness on walking22 citations · 2013
- 4Perception of emotion and emotional intensity in humanoid robots gait19 citations · 2013
- 5Emotional gait: Effects on humans' perception of humanoid robots15 citations · 2014
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