Emma Yann Zhang

Ph.D. candidate in AI with publications on human-machine interactions and haptic technologies

Research Expertise

Human-Robot Interaction
Affective Computing
Haptic Technology
AI

About

With a background in Electronic Engineering, Emma has experience in both software and hardware development. Her research areas include human-AI interactions, human-robot interactions, haptic technologies, multisensory communication, pervasive and wearable computing. She developed the world’s first kiss messenger, a mobile device for transmitting kissing sensations over the Internet. Her work has received worldwide media attention and has been featured in numerous TV programmes and news articles including BBC, Discovery Channel, Wired, The Times, Huffington Post, Fuji TV, Canal+ etc. She was invited to display her work in numerous public exhibitions and museums such as the Ars Electronica Festival, VivaTech, and Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin. She is co-author of the book Human-Robot Intimate Relationships by Springer.With a background in Electronic Engineering, Emma has experience in both software and hardware development. Her research areas include human-AI interactions, human-robot interactions, haptic technologies, multisensory communication, pervasive and wearable computing. She developed the world’s first kiss messenger, a mobile device for transmitting kissing sensations over the Internet. Her work has received worldwide media attention and has been featured in numerous TV programmes and news articles including BBC, Discovery Channel, Wired, The Times, Huffington Post, Fuji TV, Canal+ etc. She was invited to display her work in numerous public exhibitions and museums such as the Ars Electronica Festival, VivaTech, and Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin. She is co-author of the book Human-Robot Intimate Relationships by Springer.

Publications

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships

Human–Computer Interaction Series / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Human–Robot Intimate Relationships. In Human–Computer Interaction Series. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3

Kissenger

Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology / Nov 09, 2016

Zhang, E. Y., Cheok, A. D., Nishiguchi, S., & Morisawa, Y. (2016, November 9). Kissenger: Development of a Remote Kissing Device for Affective Communication. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology. https://doi.org/10.1145/3001773.3001831

Kissenger: Transmitting Kiss Through the Internet

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Kissenger: Transmitting Kiss Through the Internet. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 77–97). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_4

Kissenger – Development of a Real-Time Internet Kiss Communication Interface for Mobile Phones

Lecture Notes in Computer Science / Jan 01, 2017

Zhang, E. Y., Nishiguchi, S., Cheok, A. D., & Morisawa, Y. (2017). Kissenger – Development of a Real-Time Internet Kiss Communication Interface for Mobile Phones. In Love and Sex with Robots (pp. 115–127). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57738-8_11

Forming Intimate Human-Robot Relationships Through A Kissing Machine

Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Human Agent Interaction / Oct 04, 2016

Zhang, E. Y., & Cheok, A. D. (2016, October 4). Forming Intimate Human-Robot Relationships Through A Kissing Machine. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Human Agent Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1145/2974804.2980513

Sex and a History of Sex Technologies

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Sex and a History of Sex Technologies. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 23–32). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_2

Electrical machine for remote kissing, and engineering measurement of its remote communication effects, including modified Turing test

Journal of Future Robot Life / May 13, 2020

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2020). Electrical machine for remote kissing, and engineering measurement of its remote communication effects, including modified Turing test. Journal of Future Robot Life, 1(1), 111–134. https://doi.org/10.3233/frl-200006

Huggy Pajama: Remote Hug System for Family Communication

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Huggy Pajama: Remote Hug System for Family Communication. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 33–75). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_3

Exploring the role of robotic kissing “Kissenger” in digital communication through alan turing's imitation game

IECON 2017 - 43rd Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society / Oct 01, 2017

Zhang, E. Y., David Cheok, A., Arsovski, S., & Muniru, I. O. (2017, October). Exploring the role of robotic kissing “Kissenger” in digital communication through alan turing’s imitation game. IECON 2017 - 43rd Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. https://doi.org/10.1109/iecon.2017.8216484

From Turing to Transformers: A Comprehensive Review and Tutorial on the Evolution and Applications of Generative Transformer Models

Sci / Dec 15, 2023

Zhang, E. Y., Cheok, A. D., Pan, Z., Cai, J., & Yan, Y. (2023). From Turing to Transformers: A Comprehensive Review and Tutorial on the Evolution and Applications of Generative Transformer Models. Sci, 5(4), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/sci5040046

Are Robots Alive?

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Are Robots Alive? In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 159–188). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_8

Emotional Relationships with Robotic Companions

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Emotional Relationships with Robotic Companions. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 153–158). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_7

An Overview of Love Between Humans and Artificial Partners

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). An Overview of Love Between Humans and Artificial Partners. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 1–21). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_1

Populist Human-Computer Interface

Analyzing Current and Future Global Trends in Populism / Jan 01, 2022

Zhang, E. Y. (2022). Populist Human-Computer Interface: Kissenger. In Advances in Public Policy and Administration (pp. 165–182). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-4679-6.ch007

Why Not Marry a Robot?

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Why Not Marry a Robot? In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 189–200). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_9

Artificial intelligence in the battle against COVID-19: A comprehensive review

Artificial Intelligence in Health / Apr 04, 2024

Yann Zhang, E., David Cheok, A., Pan, Z., Cai, J., & Yan, Y. (2024). Artificial intelligence in the battle against COVID-19: A comprehensive review. Artificial Intelligence in Health, 1(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.36922/aih.2401

Wearable technology in emotive communication: An in-depth exploration of the kiss transfer mechanism and its implications for human-human interactions

Wearable Technology / Nov 16, 2023

Zhang, E. Y., Cheok, A. D., Yan, Y., Cai, J., & Pan, Z. (2023). Wearable technology in emotive communication: An in-depth exploration of the kiss transfer mechanism and its implications for human-human interactions. Wearable Technology, 4(1), 2299. https://doi.org/10.54517/wt.v4i1.2299

From Turing to Transformers: A Comprehensive Review and Tutorial on the Evolution and Capabilities of Generative Models

Sep 26, 2023

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2023). From Turing to Transformers: A Comprehensive Review and Tutorial on the Evolution and Capabilities of Generative Models. https://doi.org/10.32388/3ntolq

Populism in Robots

Analyzing Current and Future Global Trends in Populism / Jan 01, 2022

Zhang, E. Y. (2022). Populism in Robots. In Advances in Public Policy and Administration (pp. 183–199). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-4679-6.ch008

Can Robots and Humans Make Babies Together?

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Can Robots and Humans Make Babies Together? In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 201–212). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_10

Robots and Humans: Similar and Different Ways of Thinking

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Robots and Humans: Similar and Different Ways of Thinking. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 213–216). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_11

The Ethical Treatment of Artificially Conscious Robots

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). The Ethical Treatment of Artificially Conscious Robots. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 217–228). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_12

Emotional Priming of Text Messages Using Colour and Tactile Expressions

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). Emotional Priming of Text Messages Using Colour and Tactile Expressions. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 99–121). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_5

A Virtual Confucius Chatbot

Human–Robot Intimate Relationships / Jan 01, 2019

Cheok, A. D., & Zhang, E. Y. (2019). A Virtual Confucius Chatbot. In Human–Computer Interaction Series (pp. 123–151). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94730-3_6

社会的情報処理と自己制御との関連

The Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association / Sep 18, 2007

社会的情報処理と自己制御との関連: ―情報処理の中心的処理と周辺的処理による関連の差異―. (2007). The Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association, 71(0), 3AM025-3AM025. https://doi.org/10.4992/pacjpa.71.0_3am025

Efficient multiplexing and demultiplexing of free-space orbital angular momentum using photonic integrated circuits

Optical Fiber Communication Conference / Jan 01, 2012

Fontaine, N. K., Doerr, C. R., & Buhl, L. L. (2012). Efficient multiplexing and demultiplexing of free-space orbital angular momentum using photonic integrated circuits. Optical Fiber Communication Conference. https://doi.org/10.1364/ofc.2012.otu1i.2

Primary Hyperparathyroidism: a Giant and Unusual Location of Parathyroid Adenoma

Sep 30, 2022

Pekkolay, Z., Saraçoğlu, H., Turgut, M., Değirmenci, M. S., & Tuzcu, A. K. (2022). Primary Hyperparathyroidism: a Giant and Unusual Location of Parathyroid Adenoma. Peeref. https://doi.org/10.54985/peeref.2209p7942308

Lovotics

Oxford Scholarship Online / Oct 19, 2017

Cheok, A. D., Karunanayaka, K., & Zhang, E. Y. (2017). Lovotics. In Oxford Scholarship Online. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190652951.003.0013

A multimodal networked kissing machine for mobile phones

Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services Adjunct / Sep 06, 2016

Zhang, E. Y. (2016, September 6). A multimodal networked kissing machine for mobile phones. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services Adjunct. https://doi.org/10.1145/2957265.2963115

A networked device for reproducing multisensory kissing

Proceedings of the 2016 workshop on Multimodal Virtual and Augmented Reality / Nov 16, 2016

Zhang, E. Y., & Cheok, A. D. (2016, November 16). A networked device for reproducing multisensory kissing. Proceedings of the 2016 Workshop on Multimodal Virtual and Augmented Reality. https://doi.org/10.1145/3001959.3001962

Delivering haptic sensations in mobile marketing

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology / Nov 16, 2015

Pradana, G. A., Zhang, E. Y., Cheok, A. D., & Morisawa, Y. (2015, November 16). Delivering haptic sensations in mobile marketing. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology. https://doi.org/10.1145/2832932.2856223

Education

Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology

PhD, Artificial Intelligence / July, 2025 (anticipated)

Nanjing

Experience

Frost Digi Ventures

AI Lead / February, 2023February, 2024

• Led the AI team in developing and implementing an AI RAG application for the company, conducting meetings and ensuring the success of project deliveries. • Conducted extensive research on AI solutions and implemented AI systems and ML models to enhance the company's data science and AI capabilities. • Supported the recruitment, onboarding, and training of the Data Science and AI team, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and best practices.

Tamo Robotics (Entrepreneur First)

Cofounder / January, 2021September, 2021

Designed and prototyped an interactive social robot for children. • Developed an Android app that connects to robot, performs speech recognition tasks, touch sensing • Responsible for customer research, ideation, prototype design and development • Agile and scrum environment

Imagineering Institute

Research Engineer / September, 2015June, 2018

• Developed a robotic system for transmitting touch sensations over the Internet • Digital multisensory research – designed and implemented digital taste and smell systems • Developed and managed websites and internal staff reporting system • Managed small teams of engineers and staff on various projects • Keynote speeches and demonstrations at international conferences and exhibitions • Organising chair of international conferences

Facebook

Developer Support Engineer / September, 2020January, 2021

Provided first level technical support for the Facebook developers community • Used the Developer Bug tool to analyse bug report data and make recommendations for future updates to internal tools

Join Emma on NotedSource!
Join Now

At NotedSource, we believe that professors, post-docs, scientists and other researchers have deep, untapped knowledge and expertise that can be leveraged to drive innovation within companies. NotedSource is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry by providing a platform for collaboration with industry and networking with other researchers.

For industry, NotedSource identifies the right academic experts in 24 hours to help organizations build and grow. With a platform of thousands of knowledgeable PhDs, scientists, and industry experts, NotedSource makes connecting and collaborating easy.

For academic researchers such as professors, post-docs, and Ph.D.s, NotedSource provides tools to discover and connect to your colleagues with messaging and news feeds, in addition to the opportunity to be paid for your collaboration with vetted partners.

Expert Institutions
NotedSource has experts from Stanford University
Expert institutions using NotedSource include Oxfort University
Experts from McGill have used NotedSource to share their expertise
University of Chicago experts have used NotedSource
MIT researchers have used NotedSource
Proudly trusted by
Microsoft uses NotedSource for academic partnerships
Johnson & Johnson academic research projects on NotedSource
ProQuest (Clarivate) uses NotedSource as their industry academia platform
Slamom consulting engages academics for research collaboration on NotedSource
Omnicom and OMG find academics on notedsource
Unilever research project have used NotedSource to engage academic experts