Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Kyrie Jig Amon is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, gerontechnology, and participatory design, with a focus on supporting older adults’ well-being through socially assistive robots. Their work pioneers the use of autonomous conversational agents to foster meaningful reflection, emotional support, and a renewed sense of purpose—what Amon terms *ikigai*—in later life. In their highly cited 2023 paper “Spill the Tea” (32 citations), Amon demonstrated how a QT robot could engage older adults in short, autonomous conversations about their well-being, laying the groundwork for a new class of emotionally intelligent care companions. This was followed by the award-nominated “Bittersweet Snapshots of Life” (2025, 14 citations), which explored how robots can help users navigate complex emotions during reminiscence. Amon’s commitment to inclusive design is evident in “If [YourName] Can Code, So Can You!” (7 citations), a no-code programming interface that empowers non-experts—including older adults themselves—to co-design robot behaviors. Their longitudinal co-design framework, detailed in “Give it Time” (11 citations), revealed how structured learning across multiple sessions scaffolds older adults’ confidence and creativity in shaping technology. With a growing body of work that bridges engineering, psychology, and social justice, Amon is redefining what it means for robots to truly listen and learn from the people they are built to serve.