COMPANIONBOTS FOR PROACTIVE DIALOG ON DEPRESSION
This collaborative research project aims at developing a new class of dialog-based, home robotic healthcare assistants to facilitate a new level of in-home, real-time care to elderly and depressed patients, providing lower total costs and higher quality of life. An emotive, physical avatar called companionbot that possesses the ability to engage humans in a way that is unobstructive and suspends disbelief will be built in this project.
AUTISM ROBOT ASSIST
This project aims at to develop and utilize humanoid robots for analyzing behavior principles of children with ASDs and go beyond simple goals of using robots as a neat toy to make kids smile or maybe even engage in joint attention.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan is a terrible reminder of the power and danger of natural disasters. While we respectfully mourn the tragic loss of life and the hardships that the living are experiencing and will continue to experience for months and years to come, there are many opportunities to learn, to contribute, and to improve on current response methods.