David Feil-Seifer

About

David Feil-Seifer is a pioneering researcher in socially assistive robotics (SAR) and human-robot interaction, whose work has fundamentally shaped how autonomous robots are designed to support human wellbeing through social engagement rather than physical contact. His most influential contribution—a 2005 paper defining the field of socially assistive robotics, now cited nearly 1,000 times—established the conceptual foundation for an entirely new research discipline. Building on this, Feil-Seifer has explored SAR applications across critical care populations, including stroke survivors, elderly individuals, and children with autism spectrum disorders, demonstrating how robots can automate coaching, motivation, and companionship in therapeutic settings. A recurring theme in his research is the significance of physical embodiment, with multiple highly cited studies confirming that tangible robotic presence measurably influences human perception and interaction outcomes compared to virtual agents. His work with the DragonBot platform, teaching children nutrition through playful robot interaction, highlights his commitment to real-world deployment. He has also contributed to robotics education and STEM outreach, developing accessible hands-on learning materials. With over 2,500 cumulative citations and timely contributions addressing challenges such as COVID-19's impact on human-robot interaction research, Feil-Seifer's scholarship continues to define and advance a deeply humanistic vision for robotics.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Socially Assistive Robotics

   952 citations · 2005
2. 2
   Socially Assistive Robotics

   335 citations · 2011
3. 3
   The role of physical embodiment in human-robot interaction

   285 citations · 2006
4. 4
   Socially assistive robotics for post-stroke rehabilitation

   270 citations · 2007
5. 5
   Embodiment and Human-Robot Interaction: A Task-Based Perspective

   221 citations · 2007
6. 6
   Toward Socially Assistive Robotics for Augmenting Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

   191 citations · 2009
7. 7
   Benchmarks for evaluating socially assistive robotics

   126 citations · 2007
8. 8
   Materials for Enabling Hands-On Robotics and STEM Education

   126 citations · 2007
9. 9
   How to train your DragonBot: Socially assistive robots for teaching children about nutrition through play

   124 citations · 2014
10. 10
    Where to Next? The Impact of COVID-19 on Human-Robot Interaction Research

    105 citations · 2020

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links