Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

James Davis is a computer science educator and researcher whose work centers on broadening participation in computing and advancing human-robot interaction. His most impactful contribution, "Alice and robotics in introductory CS courses" (2009, 20 citations), directly addresses the persistent underrepresentation of women and minority groups in computer science by introducing a novel, engaging first-year curriculum that leverages storytelling and robotics to spark student interest. This foundational work demonstrates his commitment to inclusive pedagogy. Davis further developed this approach with PREOP (Providing Robotic Experiences Through Object-Based Programming, 2009, 7 citations), an integrated, syntax-free environment that enables beginners to program robots without the steep learning curve of traditional coding. His technical expertise extends to real-time systems, as seen in his comparative study of Java Real-Time System and OROCOS for mobile robot controllers (2010, 4 citations), and to perception, with his work on foveated observation for recovering shape and motion across mixed scales (2004, 2 citations). Davis also created RoboTalk (2006, 2 citations), a unified motion interface for controlling diverse robotic platforms—from arms to humanoid androids—addressing a critical gap in generic robot control. Through his blend of accessible robotics education and technical innovation, Davis has made lasting contributions to both CS education and robotics.