Lauren Sumida

About

Dr. Lauren Sumida is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction and educational technology, best known for her foundational work on robotic pets for children’s storytelling. Her most-cited paper, “Designing PETS” (1999, 102 citations), introduced a groundbreaking modular robotic system that allows children to physically assemble their own pet from snap-together animal parts, then program and animate it through the My Pets software. This work was among the first to merge tangible robotics with narrative development, demonstrating how interactive, customizable robots can foster creativity, emotional engagement, and storytelling skills in young learners. Sumida’s research sits at the intersection of child-computer interaction, educational robotics, and design for play, with her early contributions helping to shape the field of socially assistive robotics for children. Her PETS project remains a touchstone for researchers exploring how physical, programmable companions can support cognitive and social development. By empowering children to become both builders and storytellers, Sumida’s work has had lasting influence on the design of educational robots and interactive learning environments.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Designing PETS

   102 citations · 1999

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links