Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Elena Libin is a pioneering figure in the emerging field of **robotic psychology and robotherapy**, a discipline she helped define and advance. Her foundational work explores the complex psychological and social dynamics of **person-robot interactions**, arguing that humans often perceive robots not merely as tools, but as companions or artificial partners. Libin’s major contribution is the development of a systematic framework for understanding these interactions as a **Complex Interactive System (CIS)**, governed by principles of interactivity, equifinality, and multimodality. Her most cited paper, “Person-robot interactions from the robopsychologists' point of view” (2004, 208 citations), is a cornerstone text that established the theoretical basis for this new research area. She also created a novel diagnostic tool to measure the psycho-physiological and social aspects of human-robot communication. More recently, Libin has expanded her focus to future competencies for a digitally aligned world, addressing how to cope intelligently with global challenges. Her work bridges psychology, technology, and education, making her a key voice in understanding how we will live and interact with intelligent machines.