From Affinity to Adoption: Exploring Affinity with Technology, Social Presence, and Intended Future Robot Use

Sharni is a PhD candidate in the Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra. Her primary research focus is on examining HRI, with a primary focus on the embodiment and physical design, interaction, contextual, and psychological variables that affect how humans represent and interact with the robotic systems they encounter. In addition to completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons), she has HRI-specific research experience conducting both in-person laboratory and real-world evaluations of HRI in social and healthcare contexts.

Nipuni Wijesinghe is a PhD student in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Canberra, with a background in computer science. My research interests are centred around the fields of embodied AI, social presence, and the modulating presence of embodied systems. Through my work, I aim to explore and enhance the interactions between humans and robotic systems, particularly in healthcare settings.

Associate Professor Janie Busby Grant is the Psychology Research Lead at CRL, where her work integrates human-robot interaction and artificial intelligence with a foundation in cognitive psychology and research design. With a strong emphasis on practical applications, Janie brings a reconciliatory approach to interdisciplinary research, particularly in exploring factors influencing human perception of, and engagement with robotic systems.