Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jacob Li is a leading researcher in socially assistive robotics, with a focused expertise on designing autonomous systems that enhance the quality of life for older adults in long-term care. His work centers on the intersection of human-robot interaction and gerontechnology, particularly how robots can facilitate recreational and cognitive stimulation activities to combat social isolation and cognitive decline. Li’s major contribution is the development and iterative design of "Tangy," a socially assistive robot that autonomously facilitates group-based games like Bingo and Trivia. His studies, including a landmark focus group on design considerations (42 citations), demonstrate that robots can successfully promote engagement and team-based social interaction among residents. Li’s user-studies (31 and 26 citations) provide empirical evidence that robot-facilitated activities offer both social and cognitive benefits, moving beyond one-on-one interactions to foster communal play. His work has been pivotal in shifting the paradigm of assistive robotics from individual care to group dynamics, with his research accumulating over 110 citations. Li’s achievements include pioneering the use of autonomous robots to lead recreational therapy, directly addressing the growing demands of an aging population.