Human-Robot Interaction in Assistive Technologies
Summary
Human-robot interaction (HRI) in assistive technologies encompasses the design, development and deployment of robotic systems that support individuals with physical, cognitive or sensory impairments. This multidisciplinary field draws on robotics, artificial intelligence, human factors and rehabilitation sciences to create devices ranging from wearable exoskeletons and prosthetic limbs to socially interactive robots for eldercare and cognitive support. Key challenges include creating intuitive control interfaces—such as brain–computer interfaces or adaptive joystick systems—ensuring safety in shared workspaces, and fostering user acceptance through naturalistic communication and emotional engagement. Advances in sensor technologies, machine learning and compliant actuators have enabled robots to perceive human intent, adjust to user fatigue and deliver personalised assistance. The global significance of this research lies in addressing ageing populations, labour shortages in caregiving and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions. Practical applications span gait rehabilitation, upper-limb therapy, daily living support and social companionship. By integrating insights from user experience studies with robust engineering, the field aims to create collaborative robots—cobots—that enhance independence, improve quality of life and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
Research from Nature Portfolio
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Research from all publishers
Recent foundational reviews have charted the evolution of HRI in assistive contexts, emphasising teleoperation and supervisory control for medical and hazardous environments. These works highlight how adaptive autonomy and shared control paradigms improve task performance and user satisfaction during rehabilitation and remote assistance.
Studies of trust in humanoid service robots have demonstrated that human-like social functioning features—such as gaze cues and conversational behaviour—can foster or hinder user confidence depending on interaction comfort. Design recommendations stress balancing appearance and functionality to optimise acceptance in care settings.
A meta-analysis of anthropomorphism in service robots synthesises evidence on how user traits, robot design and task context influence the tendency to attribute human characteristics. Findings clarify when anthropomorphic features enhance perceived usefulness and intention to use robots for daily assistance versus when they lead to uncanny effects.
Human-Robot Interaction in Assistive Technologies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in human-robot interaction in assistive technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Anthropomorphism: Attribution of human-like characteristics to robots, influencing user engagement and trust.
Teleoperation: Remote control of robotic devices by human operators, often used in medical or hazardous settings.
Social presence: The degree to which a user perceives a robot as a social partner during interaction.
Collaborative robot (cobot): A robotic system designed to work safely alongside humans in shared environments.
Human supervisory control: A mode of interaction where humans oversee and intermittently intervene in autonomous robotic tasks.
References
- Understanding anthropomorphism in service provision: a meta-analysis of physical robots, chatbots, and other AI. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science (2021).
- A Systematic Review of Social Presence: Definition, Antecedents, and Implications. Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2018).
- Trust in humanoid robots: implications for services marketing. Journal of Services Marketing (2019).
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