Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Fei Yao is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence and library science, best known for developing "Xiaotu," the smart talking robot that revolutionized participatory library services. Her groundbreaking work, particularly the highly cited 2015 paper "Smart talking robot Xiaotu" (71 citations), demonstrates how AI technologies can be integrated into real-time virtual reference services to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Yao's major contributions include designing and implementing the first AI-powered chatbot at Tsinghua University Library, which combined natural language processing with library-specific knowledge bases to provide instant, accurate responses to patron queries. Her research, spanning from 2011 with early experiments in real-time virtual reference services to the more sophisticated 2015 implementation, has fundamentally transformed how libraries leverage artificial intelligence for user engagement. By demonstrating that open-source AI platforms like Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity (A.L.I.C.E.) could be adapted for library contexts, Yao established a replicable model for academic libraries worldwide. Her work has had lasting impact, inspiring subsequent generations of library AI applications and establishing her as a key figure in the digital transformation of library services.