Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Joe Marshall’s research sits at the thrilling intersection of human-computer interaction, embodied interaction, and emerging robotic systems. He is best known for pioneering work on breath-controlled amusement rides, where he demonstrated how physiological signals like breathing can transform passive thrill rides into deeply engaging, interactive experiences—a paper that has garnered 89 citations. Marshall’s broader contribution lies in rethinking control and bodily experience in technology. His 2020 paper on “Contesting control” (32 citations) challenges conventional HCI paradigms by exploring surrender, self-awareness, and looseness of control in embodied interactions, using case studies from breath-controlled rides to brain-controlled film. More recently, he has helped define the nascent field of WaterHCI, exploring interactive technologies for aquatic environments, from augmented reality for snorkelers to VR in floatation tanks. His 2025 work on “Tangles” (3 citations) pushes boundaries further by reframing collisions with robots not as failures but as meaningful somatic experiences. Marshall’s work consistently blurs lines between user and machine, control and surrender, making him a distinctive voice in HCI’s turn toward the felt, messy, and exhilarating dimensions of bodily interaction.