Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Katherine Dimitropoulou is a leading researcher in physically assistive robotics, with a focus on human-centric caregiving for individuals with mobility limitations. Her work bridges robotics, human-robot interaction, and stakeholder-driven design to create systems that are both functional and respectful of user agency. She is best known for developing **RCareWorld**, a simulation environment co-designed with care recipients, caregivers, and occupational therapists, which has garnered over 35 citations and serves as a foundational tool for testing caregiving robots in realistic home settings. Her contributions extend to robot-assisted feeding, where she introduced methods for inside-mouth bite transfer using robust mouth perception and physical interaction-aware control, addressing a critical gap for those with severe mobility constraints. Dimitropoulou also pioneered the **SPARCS** framework, which structures long-term caregiving assistance through stakeholder-in-the-loop design, and **GRACE**, which personalizes robot assistance by embedding user functionality. Her work on human-in-the-loop contextual bandits for feeding robots balances autonomy with user feedback, ensuring adaptability across diverse food items. With a growing citation record and a commitment to inclusive, practical solutions, Dimitropoulou is shaping the future of assistive robotics.