Ben Robins

Dr. Ben Robins is a Professor at the University of Hertfordshire's Department of Computer Science, affiliated with the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science and the Centre for AI and Robotics Research. His work focuses on developing humanoid robots like Kaspar for autism therapy, emphasizing child-robot interaction, visual perspective taking, and emotion recognition. He leads multiple research projects since 2004, including studies on robot-mediated interventions for children with autism, speech and language therapy, and stress detection through physiological signals.

Key projects include:

• EMBOA: Affective loop in Socially Assistive Robotics (2019-2022)
• Kaspar Explains: Human-Robot Trust via Educational Platforms (2021-2022)
• Feasibility Study of Robot-Assisted Speech Therapy (2022)

His research combines robotics engineering with cognitive science, aiming to create therapeutic tools for neurodiverse populations. Over 76 peer-reviewed publications since 2004 document innovations in robot design, interaction paradigms, and ASD intervention strategies. Collaborations span fields like biomedical engineering, education, and computer vision.

Notable achievements include pioneering the Kaspar humanoid platform, developing tactile interaction frameworks, and advancing understanding of robot-mediated social skill development. Current work explores causal explanations' role in perspective-taking and hybrid mobile-app/robot interventions.