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About

Tyler Schrenk is an emerging researcher whose work sits at the intersection of assistive robotics, human-robot interaction, and accessibility. Focused on robot-assisted feeding systems, Schrenk investigates how autonomous robotic technology can empower the estimated 1.8 million Americans with motor impairments to eat independently and with dignity. His most cited work, "Design Principles for Robot-Assisted Feeding in Social Contexts" (2023, 33 citations), broke new ground by examining the overlooked dimension of social dining — recognizing that meals carry deep cultural and emotional significance beyond mere nutrition. Complementing this, his 2024 system paper (19 citations) introduced a portable, wheelchair-mountable feeding robot embodying safety, user control, and real-world adaptability. Schrenk's research distinguishes itself by moving beyond controlled laboratory settings; his 2025 study draws critical lessons from out-of-lab deployments, addressing the practical gaps that often hinder assistive technology adoption. He has also probed the subtle but important ways robotic feeding can fail in social scenarios, demonstrating a nuanced, user-centered perspective. Across his growing body of work, Schrenk advances a vision of assistive robotics that genuinely centers the lived experiences and social worlds of people with disabilities.