Human–Robot Interaction: Recent Advances in Theory, Methods and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Human–robot interaction (HRI) has rapidly evolved into a central research area within robotics, bridging engineering, cognitive science, human factors, and artificial intelligence. As robots increasingly operate in unstructured, dynamic environments alongside humans, the demand for intuitive, robust, and context-aware interaction frameworks has grown significantly. This Applied Sciences Special Issue explores the latest developments in HRI, with particular attention given to both advanced control strategies and intelligent systems that enable more natural and effective collaboration between humans and robots.

Progress in robot control has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of HRI. Recent innovations in adaptive and shared control architectures, physical human–robot interaction (pHRI), and compliant actuation have allowed robots to respond more precisely and safely to human input.

At the same time, advances in perception, sensor fusion, and real-time motion planning contribute to seamless and predictable cooperative behaviors, particularly in tasks requiring close physical collaboration.

Artificial intelligence continues to enhance these capabilities by enabling robots to learn from demonstration, adapt to individual users, and interpret high-level contextual information. Machine learning, vision-based perception, and natural language processing complement control systems by allowing robots to infer intentions, recognise actions, and communicate in ways that feel more natural to users. Nevertheless, successful HRI relies on the integration of these AI tools into reliable and responsive control frameworks that ensure safety, transparency, and trust.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that explore

• Novel robot control techniques for real-time and shared autonomy;
• Human–robot collaboration models and task sharing paradigms;
• Design and evaluation of intuitive human–robot interfaces;
• Sensor fusion, distributed perception, and context-aware interaction;
• Sensorimotor integration and multimodal feedback mechanisms;
• AI-enhanced interaction strategies, including intention recognition and user modelling;
• Experimental studies in industrial, assistive, social, and educational contexts;
• Human factors, ergonomics, and ethical implications in HRI design.

By highlighting recent scientific and technological advances, this Special Issue aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that addresses the challenges of building robotic systems capable of engaging with humans in effective, intelligent, and socially acceptable ways. We look forward to showcasing innovative contributions that drive forward the state of the art in human–robot interaction

Dr. Andrea Paoli
Guest Editor

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• human–robot collaboration (HRC)
• collaborative robotics (cobots)
• robot control architectures
• adaptive and shared autonomy
• sensor-driven interaction
• adaptive robotic behaviour
• human-in-the-loop control
• multimodal interfaces
• intention recognition
• safety and trust in robotics
• human factors in robotics
• ethics and responsible robotics
• HRC in smart manufacturing and Industry 5.0
• HRC in assistive and healthcare robotics
• HRC in social and service robotics