Pepita Barnard
Papers
6
Total Citations
33
H-Index
3
About
Pepita Barnard is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), robotics, and multispecies ethics. Her work fundamentally challenges anthropocentric design, exploring how autonomous systems can serve non-human users—particularly companion animals. Barnard’s landmark project, *Cat Royale*, an artist-led collaboration with Blast Theory, created a “cat utopia” where a robot arm enriches cats’ lives through play, interrogating what trustworthy autonomous systems (TAS) mean for animals. This work, cited 13 times in its 2024 paper, has become a touchstone for ethical debates in multispecies technology research. Her 2023 paper on TAS for cats (8 citations) further cements her role in redefining trust beyond human-centered frameworks. Barnard also contributes to practical HRI, co-organizing workshops on human-robot miscommunication and deploying robot-guided tours in UK museums (2025). Her 2022 work on designing animal-centric AI systems (3 citations) lays groundwork for a growing field. With a portfolio spanning ethical approval processes, public deployment, and failure analysis, Barnard is a leading voice in making technology accountable to all species—a vital perspective as autonomous systems enter homes and public spaces.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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