معرفی
David A. Robb is a Research Fellow in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, where he has been actively contributing to academic research since completing his PhD in 2015. His career progression shows a clear trajectory from PhD student (2011-2015) to Research Associate (2015-2020) to his current Research Fellow position. Robb is currently leading research efforts across three major EPSRC/UKRI projects: DeMILO (studying expert laser aligners' thinking and strategies), @tas_trust (investigating trust in autonomous systems), and HUME (focusing on human-machine teaming for AUVs).
Robb's research interests span multiple interconnected domains within human-centered computing. His primary focus areas include Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), where he investigates how humans interact with and trust autonomous systems. Additional interests include image-based emotion feedback mechanisms, image summarization techniques, cognitive aspects of human-computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), and visualization of complex data. His work often bridges theoretical understanding with practical applications in industrial and service environments.
Analysis of Robb's publication record reveals a strong trajectory of scholarly contribution with 54 publications to date. His recent work demonstrates a clear focus on practical applications of human-robot interaction in real-world settings, particularly in industrial automation (laser alignment systems) and service robotics (robo-barista studies). A notable trend is his increasing focus on understanding human factors in automation adoption, trust dynamics in human-machine teams, and the practical implementation challenges of deploying autonomous systems in complex environments. His publications span top-tier venues in HCI, HRI, and robotics, demonstrating both breadth and depth in his scholarly contributions.
- ACM ICMI2021 Best Reviewer Awards (Top 5%)
- ACM ICMI 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award
- ACM ICMI 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award
- Honourable Mention ACM CHI 2017 Research Papers and Notes
- Honourable Mention ACM DIS 2017 Research Papers and Notes
Robb has been instrumental in securing and executing multiple significant research grants, particularly through EPSRC/UKRI funding mechanisms. His current role as Experimental Lead for the HRI theme of the ORCA Hub project (a major £5.7 million EPSRC-funded initiative) demonstrates his capability in managing substantial research programs. While specific details about student supervision aren't prominently featured in the provided materials, his active research program and teaching responsibilities (Experimental Design and Web Design and Databases) suggest engagement with graduate students. His work extends beyond pure research to practical implementation, as evidenced by projects like the MIRIAM multimodal interface for autonomous systems and the robo-barista field studies.
Robb is affiliated with the Strategic Futures Lab at Heriot-Watt University and has been involved with the ORCA Hub (Offshore Robotics for Certification of Assets), a major UK Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Hub. His collaborative network is extensive, with co-authors from multiple departments at Heriot-Watt as well as international collaborators. Recent projects like the DeMILO study of laser alignment expertise and the @tas_trust project on human trust in autonomous systems indicate his work is increasingly focused on translating fundamental HRI research into practical industrial applications.
