The Future of Robotics: Personalized Assistance is Here

Robotics has exploded in the last decade. What where once rare novelties are now everyday helpers, vacuuming homes and even performing complex surgeries. Assistant Professor Maria Kyrarini believes this is just the beginning – robots will soon be in every home and workplace.

Unlike programmable machines,people are unpredictable.Everyone has unique needs. As humans and robots become more interdependent, Kyrarini explains that future robots must personalize their behavior based on a user’s emotional and physical state.

Kyrarini’s research at Santa Clara University’s Robotic Systems Lab uses machine learning and biosensors to help robots detect fatigue in people wiht paralysis or mobility impairments. This allows the robots to anticipate needs and take on more tasks. It’s a glimpse into the future of human-centered robotics.

Cura personalis, through robotics

Kyrarini didn’t immediately gravitate towards engineering. Her undergraduate degree in Greece was largely theoretical due to limited access to hardware. But her Master’s program at the University of Bremen in Germany changed everything.She finally got to work with “real robots!” This experience defined her career path.

She continued her studies at Bremen, earning a Ph.D. and joining projects developing robots to work alongside humans. This included voice-controlled systems for manufacturing and, crucially, for people with disabilities.

“That was the most exciting project,” Kyrarini says. “I had a colleague with multiple sclerosis who couldn’t move from the neck down. She tested everything I developed and gave me direct feedback. This co-design process was incredibly valuable.”

Since then, she’s focused on designing robots with the holistic needs of the user in mind, underscoring the importance of understanding the human element in robotics.