Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Lesley Strawderman’s research sits at the critical intersection of human factors engineering and social robotics, exploring how people perceive and interact with autonomous systems in public spaces. Her work is pioneering in its examination of the psychological and sociological dimensions of human-robot interaction, particularly regarding non-anthropomorphic robots and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Strawderman’s most cited paper, “Survey of Factors for the Prediction of Human Comfort with a Non-anthropomorphic Robot in Public Spaces” (21 citations), establishes a foundational framework for understanding public acceptance of robots that do not resemble humans. Her provocative 2018 study, “Are Black Robots Like Black People?” (11 citations), breaks new ground by investigating whether negative racial stigmas transfer to colored robots, challenging the field to consider how societal biases might be inadvertently embedded in robotic design. Additionally, her simulation modeling of pedestrian behavior around UGVs and field studies in real-world environments—including shopping malls and university campuses—provide empirical evidence for designing safer, more socially acceptable autonomous systems. Strawderman’s work has significant implications for the deployment of service robots, delivery drones, and autonomous vehicles in human-centered spaces.