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About

Francisco J. Ruiz-Ruiz is a roboticist dedicated to making physical human–robot interaction (pHRI) safer, more intuitive, and more impactful in real-world scenarios. His research centers on compliant manipulation, force estimation, and assistive robotics, with a strong emphasis on applications in healthcare and search-and-rescue (SAR). In his most cited work, “Compliant gripper with force estimation for physical human–robot interaction” (17 citations), he developed a gripper capable of sensing and modulating contact forces, a critical step toward safe collaboration. His SAR-focused paper, “Autonomous Wristband Placement in a Moving Hand for Victims…” (15 citations), presents a mobile manipulator that autonomously places a sensorized wristband on a victim’s moving hand—enabling remote health monitoring in disaster zones. Ruiz-Ruiz also addresses aging and neurological disorders in “Improving Standing Balance Performance through the Assistance of a Mobile Collaborative Robot” (11 citations), where a mobile robot provides physical support to individuals with ataxia or Parkinson’s. By integrating whole-body interaction interfaces with mobile platforms, his work pushes the boundaries of assistive robotics. With a growing citation record and a clear focus on real-world deployment, Ruiz-Ruiz is shaping the future of robots that work with—and for—people.