Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Conny Heidtmann is a robotics researcher whose work focuses on creating accessible, interactive robotic systems that address real-world challenges in public health and service automation. Heidtmann’s primary research areas include modular robot design, human-robot interaction, and socially assistive robotics. Their most notable contribution is the development of the **SMOOTH-Robot**, a modular, low-cost mobile service platform designed for versatility across diverse domains. The SMOOTH-Robot’s key innovation lies in combining affordability with adaptability, enabling it to perform tasks ranging from logistics to social assistance—a concept demonstrated through multiple use cases and earning **16 citations** since 2021. Heidtmann also made a significant impact during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pioneering robotic interface that uses **speech and gaze interaction** to motivate and educate proper hand sanitization. This system, cited **7 times**, addresses the critical gap in public compliance by not only encouraging dispenser use but also ensuring people rub their hands for the recommended duration. By merging engineering pragmatism with behavioral psychology, Heidtmann’s work exemplifies how robotics can be both practical and socially beneficial, offering scalable solutions for hygiene and service tasks in public spaces.