Hands That Learn: Robots in Human Spaces

Robots are no longer confined to cages and factory lines—they are entering homes, hospitals, and workplaces where people live and move. Hands That Learn: Robots in Human Spaces explores how robots adapt, learn, and behave when they operate alongside humans instead of behind safety barriers.
This book takes a human–robot interaction perspective. It examines how robots perceive their surroundings, learn from demonstration, and adjust their behavior through feedback rather than rigid programming. The focus is on adaptability, safety, and trust in shared environments.
Rather than emphasizing mechanical capability, the book highlights learning through interaction—how touch, motion, and response teach robots what rules cannot. Readers gain insight into why robots must understand context, intent, and social cues to function effectively around people.
You will explore:
• How robots learn from human demonstration
• Why operating in human spaces changes robot design
• How safety and adaptability coexist
• How trust is built through predictable behavior
• Why learning matters more than precision alone
This book is for engineers, researchers, designers, and practitioners working at the boundary between humans and machines. If robots are to share our spaces, this book explains how they learn to belong there.