Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Iman Bakhoda is a researcher at the intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction, and assistive technologies, with a focus on making robots more responsive and socially aware. Their work addresses critical gaps in how robots understand and replicate human communication, particularly through emotionally specific backchanneling—the subtle verbal and nonverbal cues that signal engagement during conversation. Bakhoda’s most cited paper (2023, 3 citations) challenges the common practice of training robot interaction models solely on human-human data, arguing that robots require distinct behavioral models to avoid awkward or unnatural exchanges. This foundational insight has implications for designing more intuitive social robots. Bakhoda also pioneers applied robotics for vulnerable populations: their pilot study (2023, 2 citations) demonstrates how a Furhat social robot can deliver job interview training for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), targeting nonverbal communication skills over a six-week intervention. Additionally, their qualitative work (2024, 1 citation) captures children’s perceptions of learning STEM vocabulary with educational robots, revealing that young learners view robot teachers as more engaging than traditional instruction. Bakhoda’s research on task-level contingent mediations (2024, 1 citation) further explores how robots can adapt teaching strategies in real-time, drawing inspiration from human pedagogical practices. With a growing portfolio that bridges technical innovation and real-world application, Bakhoda is shaping the future of socially intelligent robots in education, therapy, and employment support.