Laura Cang

Laura Cang is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), located within the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on human-computer interaction, with an emphasis on affective touch, haptic communication, and social robotics. She explores how tactile and gestural interactions can convey emotions and enhance human-robot interactions, particularly through projects like the CuddleBits platform.

Her work integrates robotics, sensor technology, and behavioral studies to develop systems that model and communicate emotions effectively. Key areas of interest include the design of haptic interfaces, multimodal affect recognition, and the psychological aspects of robotic companions. She teaches courses such as CPSC 344 (Introduction to Human Computer Interaction Methods), emphasizing practical applications of interaction design principles.

Dr. Cang’s research has produced innovative platforms like CuddleBits, low-cost robotic pets that respond to touch, and she investigates how shared history influences digitally mediated emotive communication. Her contributions span both theoretical and applied aspects of human-robot interaction, aiming to bridge technological innovation with emotional and social dimensions of user experience.