Lionel P. Robert Jr.

Affiliations & Roles

Lionel P. Robert Jr. is a Professor of Information and Robotics at the University of Michigan, holding joint appointments in the School of Information and the College of Engineering's Robotics Department. He directs the Michigan Autonomous Vehicle Research Intergroup Collaboration (MAVRIC) and is an affiliate faculty member at the National Center for Institutional Diversity and Indiana University's Center for Computer-Mediated Communication. His roles include editorial board positions at journals like the Journal of Computer Information Systems and leadership in professional organizations such as ACM and IEEE.

Education

• Ph.D. in Information Systems, Indiana University (BAT Fellow, KPMG Scholar)
• M.B. from Indiana University, Bloomington
• M.S. degrees from Clemson University and University of Louisiana, Lafayette
• B.S. from University of Louisiana, Lafayette

Research Focus

Robert's research bridges collaboration through technology, with a focus on human-robot interaction, autonomous vehicles, and virtual teams. His work addresses trust in automated systems, human-AV communication, and the sociotechnical implications of robotics in workplaces and public spaces. Recent projects explore explanations for automated vehicles, security robots' societal acceptance, and AI ethics in healthcare and labor.

Key Contributions

He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in journals like MIS Quarterly and conferences such as CHI and HRI. His research has been funded by NSF, Toyota Research Institute, and the Army Research Laboratory. Notable outcomes include frameworks for AV trust repair, models of human-robot team performance, and critiques of AI-driven labor practices.

Awards & Recognition

• ACM Distinguished Member
• IEEE Senior Member
• Carnegie Junior Faculty Development Fellowship
• 3× Teaching Commendation (2006–2008)

Grants & Labs

Current grants include studies on explainable AI, human-AV trust dynamics, and security robot design. The MAVRIC lab focuses on AV-pedestrian interactions while the CCMC explores digital communication's societal impact.