Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Scott Ososky is a human factors researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, trust, and team cognition. Best known for his influential framework articulating the transition of robots "from tools to teammates," Ososky has helped shape how researchers and practitioners think about integrating increasingly autonomous robotic systems into complex, high-stakes environments. His most-cited work (140 citations) established that humans hold primitive and easily manipulated mental models of intelligent robots — a foundational insight that has guided subsequent design and training efforts across the field. Ososky's research consistently emphasizes that successful human-robot teaming requires more than technical capability; it demands shared mental models, calibrated situation awareness, and appropriately placed trust. His 2014 study on system transparency (73 citations) demonstrated how design choices directly influence operator reliance on imperfect autonomous systems, with significant implications for military and emergency response applications. Complementing this, his work on trust in human-robot teams (58 citations) drew meaningful parallels to human-animal partnerships as a practical analog for understanding future robotic collaboration. With over 400 cumulative citations, Ososky has made durable contributions to the science of human-robot teaming, offering students and researchers a rigorous yet accessible lens through which to understand how humans think about, trust, and ultimately work alongside intelligent machines.