Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Brian Mok is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), specializing in the design and social dynamics of non-anthropomorphic service robots. His work explores how robots can initiate interactions, negotiate social protocols, and communicate status through motion and behavior—often using everyday objects like trash barrels, footstools, and drawers. Mok’s most influential contribution is the “Mechanical Ottoman” (145 citations), a robotic footstool that approaches people and invites them to place their feet on it, revealing how humans negotiate unexpected robot overtures. His field studies with a robotic trash barrel (71 citations) demonstrate the complex coordination required for robots to offer services in public spaces, while his research on dominance in locomotion (24 citations) shows that even non-humanoid robots can convey social hierarchy through movement. Mok also innovates in design methodology, using collaborative improvisation to improve design thinking and exploring transforming steering wheels for autonomous vehicles. With over 330 total citations across his top papers, Mok’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in how robots can become socially adept participants in human environments, challenging assumptions about what forms and behaviors enable effective human-robot collaboration.