Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Alex Wuqi Zhang investigates the intersection of human-robot interaction, social robotics, and well-being technology. Their most impactful work, "Ice-Breaking Technology: Robots and Computers Can Foster Meaningful Connections between Strangers through In-Person Conversations" (2023, 31 citations), demonstrates how robots can overcome social barriers by encouraging strangers to engage in conversation—a finding with profound implications for combating loneliness and fostering community. This research challenges the common underestimation of positive social outcomes, showing that technology can serve as a catalyst for genuine human connection. Zhang also explores the delicate balance between user control and perceived robot social agency in end-user programming interfaces (2025, 9 citations), addressing a critical tension in robot design: how to make robots customizable without diminishing their social presence. Their ongoing work on robot personality traits (2025, 2 citations) examines how distinct robotic personas influence user affect during well-being exercises, contributing to the design of more empathetic and effective social robots. Zhang’s research is particularly notable for its focus on using technology not as a replacement for human interaction, but as a bridge to facilitate it—a timely contribution as society grapples with increasing social isolation.