Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Franka Meiland is a leading researcher at the intersection of gerontechnology and dementia care, whose work has fundamentally shaped how technology can address the psychosocial needs of people living with dementia. Her research focuses on identifying unmet needs—particularly loneliness and social isolation—and evaluating how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and assistive technologies can deliver meaningful psychosocial interventions. Her seminal 2007 review on ICT-based services for unmet needs in dementia, with nearly 300 citations, established a critical framework for the field. Meiland was a key figure in the MARIO project, demonstrating through quantitative findings that social companion robots can positively impact quality of life and perceived social support in residential care settings. She has also led European surveys on implementing Active Assisted Living (AAL) technology to combat loneliness in long-term care. Through her scoping reviews and empirical studies, Meiland has provided the evidence base that guides the development and deployment of person-centered technologies, ensuring that innovation serves the real-world emotional and social needs of individuals living with dementia.