Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Sachi Edirisinghe is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, specializing in the design and deployment of socially acceptable service robots in real-world settings. Her work focuses on the delicate balance between robotic assistance and social acceptance, particularly in roles that require guidance, encouragement, or admonishment. Edirisinghe’s most impactful contribution is her 2023 field trial of a shopworker robot that delivered friendly guidance and appropriate admonishments—a study that has garnered 16 citations for its novel approach to overcoming societal rejection of directive robots. She extended this work in 2024 with an autonomous hat-shop robot that encouraged customers through tailored comments and subtle social pressure, and a queue-managing security guard robot tested at a public event. These studies collectively address the critical challenge of robot acceptance in service roles, demonstrating that robots can effectively exert social influence without causing discomfort. Edirisinghe’s research is notable for its real-world validation and its systematic approach to making robotic admonishment acceptable, laying essential groundwork for the future of autonomous service robots in public spaces.