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About

Margo K. Apostolos is a pioneering researcher working at the captivating intersection of robotics, dance, and human-machine interaction, most notably affiliated with the University of Southern California's School of Theatre and Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Her most celebrated contributions center on the field she helped establish: robot choreography — the programming of industrial robots to perform dancelike movements and interact meaningfully with human dancers. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Apostolos explored the aesthetic and kinesthetic dimensions of robotic motion, examining how choreographic techniques could be applied to robot programming while addressing practical challenges of notation, synchronization, and performer safety. Her work has consistently bridged artistic and scientific communities, earning her most-cited recognition through a body of papers spanning nearly a decade. Beyond choreography, Apostolos contributed to applied robotics research at NASA's JPL Advanced Teleoperation Laboratory, where she investigated the cognitive benefits of auditory feedback in teleoperation tasks, including simulated satellite repair missions. Her early work on disabled users' acceptance of robotic arms further demonstrates a humanistic concern for accessibility. With cumulative citations reflecting steady influence across robotics, performance studies, and human factors research, Apostolos remains a distinctive voice advocating for creativity and aesthetics in technological development.