Richard Potter
Papers
1
Total Citations
37
H-Index
1
About
Richard Potter’s research sits at the fascinating intersection of social robotics, human-computer interaction, and existential psychology. His most cited work, “Overcoming the uncanny valley” (2016, 37 citations), offers a compelling empirical explanation for why highly humanlike robots often feel eerie: they make thoughts of death more accessible. Rather than advocating for less humanlike designs, Potter’s research proposes a counterintuitive solution—adding emotional displays to robots can reduce this sense of uncanniness. This work challenges long-standing assumptions in robotics and has influenced how designers approach human-robot interaction. Potter’s contributions bridge deep psychological theory with practical design implications, making his research valuable for both scholars and engineers. His findings open new pathways for creating robots that feel more relatable and less unsettling, a crucial step as robots become more integrated into everyday life. For students and researchers, Potter’s work exemplifies how interdisciplinary thinking can solve real-world problems in human-robot interaction.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1