Christa Fricke

About

Christa Fricke is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on developing mobile robotic companions for healthcare and aging populations. Her work centers on designing autonomous assistive robots that support elderly individuals and stroke patients in their daily lives and rehabilitation. Fricke’s major contributions include leading the SYMPARTNER project, which culminated in a 20-week field study with 20 seniors living with a mobile robot companion in their own apartments—a landmark study cited 51 times. She also pioneered a novel robot-assisted walking training system for post-stroke rehabilitation, enabling patients to practice mobility and spatial orientation independently, with 26 citations. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and participatory design, as seen in her work on the MORPHIA project, which developed a robot-assisted video communication platform for home care. Fricke has also created the “READY?” reflective dialog tool to help care facilities ethically assess the use of robotics. With over 100 citations across her key publications, Fricke’s work is shaping the future of assistive robotics, bridging technical innovation with real-world care needs.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Living with a Mobile Companion Robot in your Own Apartment - Final Implementation and Results of a 20-Weeks Field Study with 20 Seniors

   51 citations · 2019
2. 2
   Mobile robot companion for walking training of stroke patients in clinical post-stroke rehabilitation

   26 citations · 2017
3. 3
   Autonome Assistenzroboter für ältere Menschen zu Hause: Eine Erkundungsstudie

   18 citations · 2020
4. 4
   Facilitating Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Large-Scale Research Networks: Tackling Uncertainties in Knowledge Building and the Designing of Robotic Systems in Healthcare

   7 citations · 2024
5. 5
   A Mobile Robotic Assistant to Improve Social Care Networking for Older and Frail People at Home: Main Results of the MORPHIA-Project

   2 citations · 2025
6. 6
   READY? – Reflective dialog tool on issues relating to the use of robotic systems for nursing care

   2 citations · 2025
7. 7
   Partizipatives Design in der Roboterentwicklung

   2 citations · 2019

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links