Yanxia Zhang

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Yanxia Zhang’s research lies at the intersection of human-robot interaction, social robotics, and non-verbal communication, with a particular focus on how gaze behavior shapes human-robot relationships. Her most-cited work, "Look but Don’t Stare: Mutual Gaze Interaction in Social Robots" (2017, 32 citations), is a foundational study that explores the delicate balance between engaging and unsettling gaze patterns in robotic systems. By empirically demonstrating that mutual gaze—when both human and robot maintain eye contact—can enhance social presence and trust, while prolonged staring triggers discomfort, Zhang provided critical design guidelines for socially aware robots. This contribution has influenced subsequent work in assistive robotics, telepresence, and affective computing, where naturalistic gaze is key to user acceptance. Her research underscores the importance of subtle, context-sensitive cues in making robots appear more human-like and less intrusive. With her work cited in fields ranging from cognitive science to engineering, Zhang has helped bridge the gap between technical implementation and psychological realism, offering a roadmap for creating robots that feel less like machines and more like social partners.