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About

Kris Doelling is a multidisciplinary researcher whose work sits at the compelling intersection of robotics, human-machine teaming, and assistive technology. With a body of work spanning service robotics, autonomous systems, and inclusive design, Doelling has made meaningful contributions to understanding how robots and intelligent systems can serve vulnerable populations and complex operational environments. Doelling's most-cited work, a 2014 comprehensive review of home service robotics (25 citations), established an important benchmark for the field by cataloging commercially available and prototype systems while identifying critical research gaps. This was complemented by applied clinical work examining robotic nursing assistants in hospital settings, directly shaping design requirements for real-world deployment. In the domain of autonomous systems, Doelling contributed frameworks for heterogeneous manned-unmanned teaming and mixed-reality swarm control architectures, advancing how human operators collaborate with intelligent robotic systems in dynamic environments. Perhaps most distinctive is Doelling's commitment to humanistic values in technology design. A 2021 paper introducing the concept of the "humane in the loop" (15 citations) challenged researchers and policymakers to prioritize inclusive, ethical approaches to assistive technology — particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. A creatively ambitious project pairing Shakespearean performance with social robotics for older adults further reflects Doelling's rare capacity to bridge engineering rigor with genuine human compassion.