Patrik Björnfot · Researcher · Max Robotics

About

Patrik Björnfot is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction and robotics, with a specific focus on how people first encounter and use robotic telepresence technologies. His research explores the critical gap between technical capability and user experience, particularly for non-expert users. Björnfot’s most cited study (25 citations) examines how office workers react to robotic telepresence for the first time, providing foundational insights into adoption barriers. He has also made significant contributions to the design of telepresence robots, probing the design space for gesture arms (23 citations) to improve remote communication and evaluating input devices to enhance control (11 citations). His work on contactless object manipulation (8 citations) extends the functionality of these robots beyond simple mobility. Through empirical studies and design explorations, Björnfot has helped shape how we understand and improve the usability of telepresence systems, making him a key voice in the ongoing effort to make remote presence technology more intuitive, expressive, and effective for everyday users.