Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Kanda’s research lies at the intersection of human-robot interaction, social robotics, and nonverbal communication, with a focus on how robots can intuitively engage people in real-world settings. Their major contributions include pioneering work on how robots use gaze to shape participant roles in conversations—a concept explored in their highly cited 2009 paper on “footing” (65 citations). Kanda also revealed how robots can intentionally leak nonverbal cues to communicate unspoken intentions, as shown in another influential 2009 study (53 citations). A landmark ethnographic study at an elderly care center (2011, 31 citations) demonstrated the potential of conversational robots to foster social engagement among older adults, while a field trial at a train station (2008, 18 citations) showcased semi-autonomous robots operating in public spaces. Kanda’s work on proximity control for information-presenting robots (2008, 5 citations) further advanced understanding of spatial dynamics in human-robot interaction. With over 170 citations across these key papers, Kanda has shaped the design of socially aware robots that can navigate complex human environments, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world deployment. Their achievements highlight a career dedicated to making robots not just functional, but socially intuitive partners.