Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Mathieu Simonnet is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and rehabilitation, with a particular focus on chronic low back pain (CLBP) management. His work demonstrates how social robots can serve as effective, scalable alternatives to human physiotherapists for guiding therapeutic exercises. In his landmark R‑COOL randomized trial (21 citations), Simonnet showed that a humanoid robot could successfully supervise stretching routines for CLBP patients, achieving comparable adherence and clinical outcomes to sessions led by a physiotherapist—a breakthrough for at-home, technology‑mediated care. Beyond clinical robotics, Simonnet is a founder of the emerging field of WaterHCI (Human‑Computer Interaction in aquatic environments). His 2024 paper on “Grand challenges in WaterHCI” (19 citations) maps the design space for interactive systems that support snorkelers, swimmers, and floatation‑tank users, blending augmented reality, virtual reality, and wearable sensing with the unique physical properties of water. By bridging rehabilitation robotics and aquatic interaction design, Simonnet’s work opens new frontiers for accessible, engaging health interventions and for expanding HCI into underexplored environments.