Max van Zoest

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Max van Zoest pioneers the intersection of social robotics and music therapy, focusing on non-pharmacological interventions for dementia care. His landmark 2018 paper, "Combining Social Robotics and Music as a Non-Medical Treatment for People with Dementia," has garnered over 260 citations, reflecting its profound impact on aging and healthcare technology. Employing situated cognitive engineering, van Zoest designed and evaluated a social robot that curates personalized music to evoke positive autobiographical memories in individuals with dementia—a condition affecting approximately 260,000 people in the Netherlands alone. His work demonstrates how robotic companions can facilitate emotional well-being and cognitive engagement, offering a scalable, humane alternative to traditional treatments. By bridging robotics, musicology, and clinical psychology, van Zoest has established a new paradigm for assistive technology in geriatric care. His contributions are widely recognized in human-robot interaction and dementia research communities, earning him invitations to speak at international conferences on aging and AI. For students and researchers, van Zoest’s research exemplifies how interdisciplinary innovation can address pressing societal challenges, merging technical rigor with deep empathy for vulnerable populations.