Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jelle Stienstra’s research sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, assistive technology, and affective design, with a focus on creating empathetic and socially engaging robotic companions for ageing populations. His most impactful work, “Assistive technology design and development for acceptable robotics companions for ageing years” (45 citations), forms the foundation of the ACCOMPANY project, which reimagines home companion technologies to enhance older adults’ well-being. Stienstra’s contributions extend to pioneering tangible interfaces like the “Squeeze Me” (16 citations), a squeezable device that fosters empathic behavior between humans and machines through expressive, non-verbal interaction. He further explores emotional connection in “Shaping empathy through perspective taking” and “Dreamy eyes” (6 citations each), developing dynamic expressive masks and graphical interfaces that allow users to control assistive robots via emotional and contextual cues rather than discrete commands. His work on “Exploring movement qualities in reciprocal engagement” (2 citations) delves into perceptual-crossing paradigms, designing robot movements that cultivate mutual awareness. With a cumulative impact of over 75 citations, Stienstra’s research is notable for its human-centered, research-through-design approach, advancing how robots can become not just functional tools but empathetic companions in everyday life.