Human-Robot Interaction

Human-Robot Interaction is an interdisciplinary effort aimed at understanding and improving all aspects of interactions between humans and robots. It draws on knowledge from computer science, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as psychology, philosophy, anthropology, legal fields, among various others.

Cutting across the engineering and social sciences, human-robot interaction research is a paradigmatic multi- and inter-disciplinary program with enormous future societal benefits.

Human-Robot Interaction (M.S.)

• M.S. in Computer Science: Human-Robot Interaction
• M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering: Human-Robot Interaction
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering: Human-Robot Interaction

The Departments of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering offer an M.S. degree in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). Students in each department share a set of five required core courses, but other requirements vary.

Human-Robot Interaction (Joint Ph.D.)

• Ph.D. in Computer Science: Human-Robot Interaction
• Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering: Human-Robot Interaction
• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering: Human-Robot Interaction

Doctoral students in Human-Robot Interaction have the opportunity to build a unique degree program for themselves as they lay the foundations for future generations of researchers and practitioners working with robots. Graduating doctoral candidates will receive a joint Ph.D. in their home department and in Human-Robot Interaction.

Application Deadline

Spring: September 15
Fall: March 15 

Application Requirements:
> Application Fee
> Resume/CV
> Personal Statement
> Official GRE scores
> Official TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable
> Transcripts
> Three letters of Recommendation

M.S. Program

Three departments are associated with the human-robot interaction M.S. program: Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Students will enroll in the program through one of these departments.

Ph.D. Program

Three departments are associated with the joint human-robot interaction Ph.D. program: Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Students apply to and enroll in the joint human-robot interaction Ph.D. program through one of these departments either as a prospective graduate student or as a current graduate student after they have been accepted by one of the departments (e.g., after they have already started their Ph.D.).

There is no separate admissions process for the human-robot interaction Ph.D. program. Select the home department with the human-robot interaction degree track  (i.e. Computer Science: Human-Robot Interaction (Ph.D.) ). The program director will work with faculty responsible for admission in the home department to determine the applicant's eligibility. The director proposes candidates to the Steering Committee, who will vote on admissions. Note that this process will not conflict with the admissions process (or criteria) in the student's home department; only students that satisfy the admissions criteria of the home department can be considered for admission into the human-robot interaction Ph.D. program.

Current Tufts doctoral students in one of the affiliated departments can send the program director an informal petition to be admitted to the human-robot interaction Ph.D. program. As with prospective graduate students, the director proposes eligible candidates who meet the prerequisites for the materials science and engineering program to the Steering Committee which then approves admissions.

For questions about this program, contact:

Professor Matthias Scheutz (Computer Science)

Associate Professor Usman Khan (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Associate Professor Jason Rife (Mechanical Engineering)