Physical and Social Adaptation for Assistive Robot Interactions

Robots have the potential to provide users with limited mobility additional ways of interacting with the world around them. However, each user has preferences for how they interact with these physical interfaces. My dissertation research develops tools and algorithms to allow robot interactions to adapt to the individual needs of users. In particular, I develop ways to adapt a robot’s design, physical movements, and social behaviors. By adapting robots to users I hope to develop systems that more holistically aid users with limited mobility.