Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Damien Michel is a leading researcher in socially assistive robotics, with a focus on enabling older adults to live independently and safely in their own homes. His most impactful work centers on the development and real-world validation of the Hobbit robotic platform, a service robot designed for fall detection, prevention, and daily assistance. In a landmark 2019 study involving 16 private households, Michel demonstrated the robot’s effectiveness in improving perceived safety and usability among elderly users—work that has garnered 82 citations. His earlier 2018 paper, with 62 citations, detailed the Hobbit PT2 prototype’s hardware and software innovations for fall-related interventions. Beyond fall prevention, Michel has contributed to gesture recognition for human-robot interaction and robot-guided physical exercise training, addressing both cognitive and physical health. His research also draws on insights from human motor control to inform robotic system design, bridging biomechanics and artificial intelligence. With a portfolio that combines rigorous field trials, user-centered design, and practical deployment, Michel’s work has significantly advanced the real-world applicability of assistive robots, making him a key figure in human-robot interaction and gerontechnology.