Maja Matarić, a professor at the University of Southern California, has been a pioneering force in the field of socially assistive robotics since co-defining the area in 2005. Her work focuses on developing robots that provide personalized therapy and support through social interactions, particularly for individuals with anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. Matarić's research has led to the creation of robots like Bandit, which helps children with autism improve communication skills, and Blossom, designed to assist students in practicing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Recently, Matarić was honored with the 2025 Robotics Medal from MassRobotics, recognizing her contributions to advancing robotics. The award ceremony took place in Boston, where she expressed her joy and gratitude for the support of her peers. Matarić's journey began in Belgrade, Serbia, and she credits her family for inspiring her interest in engineering and computer science.
Her current research includes a clinical trial funded by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, exploring the effectiveness of Blossom in delivering CBT to students. The trial involves 120 participants and aims to assess the robot's ability to adapt to individual user preferences while measuring their mental health outcomes. Matarić emphasizes the importance of combining engineering with psychology in her work and encourages her students to engage with professional communities like IEEE, which she joined as a graduate student in 1992.
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