Who am I?
I am a PhD student at UCF, I belong to the Human factors and Cognitive Psychology program. I have taken several of the courses for the Modeling and Simulation master’s degree already and have shown my ability to maintain similar grades as students currently enrolled in the program.
I have background knowledge in programming as I originally came to UCF as an undergraduate for computer science, however I switched to psychology in my third year only after I wanted to explore what human factors meant in terms of robotics. I have never stopped programming, I continue to work with R, JavaScript, and Python to achieve my goals. I primarily use these languages for data science and building functions for a robot Misty (https://docs.mistyrobotics.com/misty-ii/robot/misty-ii/).
Advanced Robotics Research
Delve into the intricate world of artificial intelligence and robotics research with a focus on social presence, uncanny valley, and embodied design. As a dedicated graduate student at the esteemed University of Central Florida, I strive to push the boundaries of technological innovation and shape the future landscape of AI.
Explore the cutting-edge developments in this dynamic field as I navigate through the complexities of AI algorithms and the fascinating interplay between technology and human interaction. Join me on this exciting journey of exploration and discovery that promises to revolutionize the world as we know it.
Embrace the fusion of science and creativity as we embark on a quest to unravel the mysteries of robot-human interactions and redefine the very essence of technological evolution. Witness firsthand the transformative power of research and development, as we pave the way towards a brighter, more technologically advanced future.
Upon completion of my doctoral studies (Human factors and Cognitive Psychology PhD), I envision a career continuing my research in the field of human-robot interaction (HRI), specifically focused on the development and evaluation of socially intelligent robots. My research focuses on creating robots that are not only technologically sophisticated but also socially attuned to the unique needs and preferences of older adults. I aim to bridge the gap between technological advancements and human-centered design, ensuring that the development of robotic systems is informed by a deep understanding of human behavior and social dynamics. I want to use what I will learn from Modeling and Simulation to simulate HRI and create better interactions for users.
Research Interests
Social Computing and Robotics Applications. I am particularly interested in exploring the potential of social computing and robotics to enhance social connections, cognitive engagement, and emotional well-being. This includes investigating the use of robots as companions, conversation partners, and facilitators of social interactions.
Works related to Robotics. I have a paper (out for publications) and a poster presentation related to this topic as seen below:
Sasser, J. A., McConnell, D.S., & Smither, J.A. (2023). Investigation of relationships between embodiment perceptions and perceived social presence in human-robot interactions. Submitted to International Journal of Social Robotics.
Sasser, J., Montalvo, F., Parkhurst, E.L., Vasquez, G., McConnell, D.S., & Smither, J.A. (2020, October) Social presence in embodied virtual agents among lonely older adults. Poster presented at 12th World Conference of Gerontechnology, Trondheim, Norway.
Acceptance of Robots. I also want to further understand the factors that influence the acceptance and utilization of robots, particularly in relation to the perceived embodiment and social presence of robots. This includes exploring the impact of robot morphology, behavior, and communication patterns on user perceptions and interactions.
Works related to Acceptance factors. I have a poster presentation and a conference proceeding related to this topic as seen below:
Sasser, J.A., McConnell, D.S., & Smither, J.A. (2022). Exploring the Effect of Virtual Agent Type on Perceived Hedonic and Utilitarian Beliefs of an End User. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 66th Annual Meeting, 66(1).
Sasser, J.A., Montalvo, F., McConnell, D.S., & Smither, J.A. (2022). Examining Acceptance Factors Between Online Agents: Traditional Chatbot versus Online Social Robot. Poster presented at the 2022 Student Scholar Symposium.
Direct Social Perception Robots. To better understand embodiment of the robot, I want to continue to learn the role of kinematics in conveying social information and influencing human perceptions. I aim to investigate how the timing, fluidity, and expressiveness of robotic movements affect user perceptions of empathy, trustworthiness, and social intentions.
Works related to Direct perception. I have some poster presentations and conference proceedings related to this topic as seen below:
Sasser, J., Montalvo, F., Bendell, R., Hancock, P.A., & McConnell, D.S. (2020, December) Exploring the Effect of Virtual Robot Acceleration on Perceived Competitiveness/ Cooperativeness, Animacy, and Intelligence. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 64th Annual Meeting.
Sasser, J.A., McConnell, D.S., & Hancock, P.A. (2019, April) Perceived Intentionality via Virtual Agent’s Kinematics. Poster to be presented at the 2019 Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence student conference, Orlando FL.
Sasser, J.A., McConnell, D.S., & Hancock, P.A. (2019, February) Perceived Behaviors via Kinematics in Robotics. Poster to be presented at the 2019 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Jacksonville FL.
Sasser, J.A., McConnell, D.S., & Hancock, P.A. (2019, January) Perceived Behaviors via Kinematics in Robotics. Poster to be presented at the 2019 Human Factors and Applied Psychology student conference, Orlando FL.