Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Michael Mintrom is a leading scholar at the intersection of robotics, public space, and policy design, whose work has helped shape emerging conversations about how autonomous technologies are transforming shared social environments. His research addresses fundamental questions about how robots operate in public settings, how people perceive and interact with them, and what governance frameworks are needed to manage their deployment responsibly. Mintrom's most influential contributions include pioneering participatory and co-design methodologies that give everyday users a voice in shaping robot behaviours — work that has attracted over 130 citations across multiple studies. His theoretical contributions are equally significant: his framework of "robotic logics" — predictability, partitioning, and connection — offers a compelling lens for understanding how robots actively produce spatiality rather than merely inhabiting it. His concept of "contingent autonomy" further advances thinking about how robotic agency is negotiated within uncertain, real-world contexts. Spanning empirical, theoretical, and policy dimensions, Mintrom's research is notable for its interdisciplinary ambition, bridging human-robot interaction, urban studies, and public administration. His anticipatory policy design work positions him as a forward-thinking voice ensuring that governance keeps pace with rapidly evolving robotic technologies, making his scholarship essential reading for students, practitioners, and policymakers alike.