The role of robots in society keeps expanding and diversifying, bringing with it a host of issues surrounding the relationship between robots and humans. This introduction to human-robot interaction (HRI), written by leading researchers in this developing field, is the first to provide a broad overview of the multidisciplinary topics central to modern HRI research. Students and researchers from robotics, artificial intelligence, psychology, sociology, and design will find it a concise and accessible guide to the current state of the field. Written for students from diverse backgrounds, it presents relevant background concepts, describing how robots work, how to design them, and how to evaluate their performance. Self-contained chapters discuss a wide range of topics, including the different communication modalities such as speech and language, non-verbal communication and the processing of emotions, as well as ethical issues around the application of robots today and in the context of our future society.

'What is human-robot interaction? This book gives questions that encourages us to think about fundamental issues on relationship between humans and robots. It will guide you to the exciting future living with robots. Worthwhile reading.'

Hiroshi Ishiguro - Osaka University, Japan

'This book covers the essential ground of the interdisciplinary field of human-robot interaction. I highly recommend it for students and researchers who want to understand the lay of the land, and to anyone interested in how these robots work, and our future lives with them. A much needed and appreciated contribution.'

Peter H. Kahn, Jr - University of Washington

'An excellent primer that covers all the bases, ranging from robotics to ethics, in a thorough, yet concise, fashion. Whether you're a budding researcher looking to learn background and methods, or a seasoned academic looking to branch out or brush up a specific area, this book offers foundational work, current perspectives, and a wealth of examples. For the tech enthusiast, this is an accessible, research-grounded primer on the reality of robots today, and how they may work with people. I'll be recommending this book to colleagues, using it in my teaching, and providing copies to my grad students!'

James Young - University of Manitoba, Canada