Shanker Ramesh
Papers
2
Total Citations
24
H-Index
2
About
Shanker Ramesh is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction (HRI), and public health, with a specific focus on underserved communities. His major contributions lie in designing and deploying autonomous social robots to promote hygiene behavior change among children in rural India. In his landmark 2019 study, Ramesh demonstrated how a custom-built social robot could significantly influence hand-washing practices among school children in the Western Ghats, an area with a large indigenous tribal population. This work, cited 15 times, is notable for its culturally sensitive design—adapting robot appearance, speech, and interaction to local norms. His follow-up paper (9 citations) introduced “Pepe,” a social robot whose design and pilot study outcomes provided foundational insights for deploying technology in low-resource, high-need settings. Ramesh’s research is remarkable for bridging engineering, behavioral science, and global health, showing that robots can be effective, low-cost tools for social impact. His work stands as a model for inclusive HRI, proving that cutting-edge robotics can serve the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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