HRI @ University of Melbourne
Robots and Agents that Work
With People
Research Themes
Embodied Interaction for Skill, Learning & Training
Robotic, haptic, and XR systems that support motor skill acquisition and hands-on learning through physical interaction — integrating learning from demonstration, tangible interfaces, and visuo-haptic feedback.
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Failure, Uncertainty & Embodied Explainability
Treating failure and uncertainty as structural features of real-world HRI — using behavioural sensing, embodied cues, and AI risk communication strategies to maintain trust and support timely recovery.
Human-Robot/Agent Collaboration
How people coordinate with robots and embodied agents in shared physical and cognitive tasks — using communication, gaze, language, and behavioural cues to enhance trust, team fluency, and joint performance.
Haptic for VR & Wellbeing
Visuo-haptic and virtual/mixed reality interfaces coupling touch, force, and perception to support fine motor control, grasping, and sensorimotor training for rehabilitation and wellbeing.
Teleoperation & Telepresence
Assisted teleoperation and telepresence robots enabling effective remote action in work and everyday environments, with shared-control strategies that reduce workload while preserving user agency.
Controllable Autonomy & Shared Control
Conceptualising autonomy as a negotiated, interactional property — developing adaptive shared-control frameworks that remain steerable, interruptible, and aligned with human intent.