Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Avgi Kollakidou is a researcher specializing in human-robot interaction (HRI), socially assistive robotics, and context-aware robot navigation, with a particular focus on deploying robots in real-world care environments. Her work bridges technical innovation and human-centered design, exploring how robots can meaningfully integrate into the daily lives of vulnerable populations, including elderly residents with dementia. Among her most recognized contributions is her investigation into zoomorphic robots in care home settings, where her 2022 study (18 citations) revealed how residents interpret functional floor-washing robots as social actors, challenging conventional distinctions between appliance and companion. This theme continues in her 2023 work on "helper pets," further developing the concept of projecting agency onto assistive robots. Her research on the modular SMOOTH-Robot (16 citations) demonstrates practical versatility across service domains, while her work on gesture recognition and F-formation detection advances robots' ability to navigate socially complex environments appropriately. Kollakidou's scholarship is notable for combining ethnographic methods with technical development, producing insights that are both empirically grounded and practically applicable. Her growing citation record reflects an emerging voice in the field of socially intelligent robotics, particularly within healthcare and assistive technology contexts.