Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Louis Rice is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-computer interaction, social robotics, and special educational needs (SEN). His work focuses on co-designing and embedding social robots—most notably Softbank Pepper—in school environments to support the well-being of autistic children. Rice’s major contributions include pioneering participatory design methods that actively involve autistic children and their teachers in shaping robot behaviors and integration strategies. His 2022 paper on embedding a social robot in an SEN school has garnered 23 citations, while his co-design study has received 14 citations, reflecting growing interest in inclusive, child-centered AI. Rice also applied UNICEF’s AI for Children guidance to his work, ensuring ethical, rights-based design for vulnerable populations. His research demonstrates that social robots can serve as effective teaching aids and external resources, not replacements for human interaction. By centering the voices of autistic children and their educators, Rice is advancing a more empathetic, collaborative approach to educational technology—one that prioritizes well-being, agency, and real-world impact over purely technical innovation.