Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Mike Blow is a pioneering researcher in human–robot interaction, best known for his foundational work on robot design and social robotics. His primary research areas include minimally expressive humanoid robots, robot facial design, and the perceptual dimensions that shape human–robot interaction. Blow’s most significant contribution is the creation of KASPAR, a low-cost, minimally expressive humanoid robot specifically engineered for interaction studies. The two seminal papers introducing KASPAR have garnered over 430 combined citations, establishing the platform as a benchmark in the field. His research on robot faces—particularly the art and perception of facial design—has been widely influential, with his 2006 papers on robot smiles and face design receiving over 200 citations. These works synthesize insights from narrative art, psychology, and face recognition to guide how robots can effectively communicate through appearance. Blow’s interdisciplinary approach has shaped how researchers think about robot aesthetics and social signaling, making his contributions essential reading for anyone entering the field of social robotics.