Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Dr. Sofia Reppou is a leading researcher at the intersection of robotics, ambient assisted living (AAL), and gerontechnology. Her work is unified by a powerful vision: using socially assistive robots to combat social isolation and promote cognitive health among older adults. As the principal architect of the RAPP (Robotic Applications for Delivering Smart User Empowering Applications) paradigm, she has pioneered an integrated, variable-structure control architecture that allows robots like the NAO to adapt to users with varying levels of technological literacy. Her most impactful contribution is the development of a robotic-oriented ecosystem that delivers empowering applications directly to seniors, a framework detailed in her highly cited works from 2016 and 2017 (each garnering 35 citations). Dr. Reppou’s research extends beyond hardware, as she has also developed a methodology for merging robotics and AAL ontologies, ensuring seamless system interoperability. Her case study at the Ormylia Foundation (12 citations) demonstrated the real-world efficacy of this approach, successfully engaging technology-illiterate elderly users. Notably, her work on robot-assisted cognitive exercise for patients with mild cognitive impairment (4 citations) points to a future where robots serve not just as companions, but as active partners in clinical intervention.