Maya Keely

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Maya Keely is a rising star in the field of assistive robotics, with a research focus on soft, shape-changing mechanisms and adaptive manipulation for human-robot interaction. Her most notable contribution is the **Kiri-Spoon**, a kirigami-inspired, soft utensil that physically deforms to scoop and secure food during robot-assisted feeding. This work, published in 2024 and 2025, directly addresses the daily challenges faced by millions of adults with mobility limitations, aiming to restore independence at mealtime without the need for a caregiver. Keely’s research is distinguished by its novel approach to **combining and decoupling rigid and soft grippers**, a concept she explores in her 2025 paper. By analyzing the fundamental trade-offs between these two grasping paradigms, she provides a framework for designing hybrid end-effectors that can handle a far more diverse range of everyday objects than current systems allow. With her papers accumulating over a dozen citations in just two years, Keely is quickly establishing herself as a key voice in the next generation of robotic manipulation, where the goal is not just to grasp, but to assist with grace and autonomy.