Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Nikodem Rybak is a researcher whose work spans human-robot interaction, child-centered design, and applied artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on how emerging technologies can be meaningfully integrated into real-world social contexts. His most recognized contributions center on the development and evaluation of social robots designed to engage with young children, exploring both the methodological and technical challenges unique to this sensitive user group. His 2016 studies on "Social Cardboard" introduced pretotyping as a practical framework for testing social ethnodroid concepts in naturalistic settings before committing to full-scale development — work that garnered up to 8 citations and demonstrated the value of low-fidelity prototyping in robotics research. Complementing this, his investigations into children's touch interactions with social robots addressed critical gaps in safety, robustness, and data interpretation, accumulating citations that underscore the field's interest in these findings. More recently, Rybak has expanded his scope toward artificial intelligence applications in workplace safety, reflecting a broader commitment to socially impactful technology. His body of work positions him as a thoughtful contributor at the intersection of human-centered design, robotics, and AI-driven safety systems.