Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Ju Shen's research sits at the intersection of socially-aware robotics and advanced perception systems, with a focus on enabling autonomous machines to navigate and interact meaningfully in human environments. Her most notable contribution is the development of TERESA, a socially intelligent semi-autonomous telepresence system funded by the European Union’s FP7 program. This project, which has garnered 21 citations, aims to deploy robots in elderly day centres, allowing older adults to participate in social activities remotely—a pioneering effort in assistive robotics that prioritizes human dignity and connection. Shen has also advanced the technical foundations of robotic navigation through her work on SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). Her 2019 paper on fusing RGB-D and inertial data using recurrent and convolutional neural networks (5 citations) addresses a critical challenge: building accurate 3D maps in complex indoor environments. By integrating deep learning with sensor fusion, she has improved the autonomy and reliability of service robots. Her work bridges the gap between high-level social intelligence and low-level perception, making her a key figure in the evolution of robots that are both capable and compassionate. Shen’s research continues to influence the design of assistive technologies that enhance quality of life.