Zishi Wu

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Zishi Wu is a researcher at the forefront of human-robot interaction, specializing in the nuanced dynamics of rapport-building between humans and social robots. Their work centers on developing embodied conversational agents that can engage in natural, empathetic communication, with a particular focus on the role of nonverbal mirroring—such as subtle mimicry of gestures and expressions—as a mechanism for fostering trust and connection. Wu’s most cited papers, including "Towards Building Rapport with a Human Support Robot" (2022, 4 citations) and "Let's be friends! A rapport-building 3D embodied conversational agent for the Human Support Robot" (2021, 3 citations), explore how partial mirroring of human behaviors can enhance the quality of human-robot interactions. By integrating insights from psychology and robotics, Wu’s contributions advance the design of support robots that are not only functional but also socially intuitive. This work is pivotal for applications in healthcare, companionship, and assistive technology, where emotional engagement is as critical as task completion. Wu’s research is shaping a future where robots can build genuine rapport, making them more effective partners in human-centered environments.