Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Maiya Hori is a researcher at the forefront of human-robot interaction and affective communication, specializing in the design of teleoperated robots and avatars that enhance emotional expression. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between physical presence and digital communication, particularly through the development of cellular-phone-type robots like Elfoid—a soft, skin-like device that transmits a speaker’s presence via camera and microphone. Hori’s key contributions include pioneering techniques to exaggerate facial expressions using cartoon-inspired animation, making robotic interactions more engaging and emotionally resonant. Her most cited paper, "Generation of Facial Expression Emphasized with Cartoon Techniques Using a Cellular-Phone-Type Teleoperated Robot with a Mobile Projector" (2013, 5 citations), demonstrates how projected animations can amplify emotional cues in real-time communication. She has also explored real image-based avatars for interpersonal interaction, proposing systems that merge human likeness with robotic embodiment. While her citation counts are modest, Hori’s work is notable for its creative integration of robotics, animation, and psychology, laying groundwork for more expressive and intuitive human-machine interfaces. Her research continues to inspire innovations in telepresence and social robotics.