Cynthia Breazeal American roboticist, pioneer of social robotics and the study of interactions between humans and robots Date of Birth: 15.11.1967 Country: USA

1. Biography of Cynthia Breazeal
2. Early Research and Kismet
3. Continuing Work and Leonardo
4. NEXI and Personal Robots Group
5. AUTOM and Expressive Remote Presence Robots
6. Recognition and Contributions

Biography of Cynthia Breazeal

Cynthia Lynn Breazeal was born on November 15, 1967. She is an American roboticist, a pioneer in social robotics and the study of human-robot interaction. Breazeal received her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1989. She then earned her Master's degree in 1993 and her Ph.D. in 2000, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Early Research and Kismet

For her doctoral dissertation, Breazeal developed a robot named Kismet, designed to provide social engagement between humans and humanoid robots with auditory, visual, and expressive systems. Currently, Kismet is housed at the MIT Museum, along with other robots developed by Breazeal and her team at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Some of the most well-known robots in the collection include the humanoid torso robot, Cog, and the insect-like robot, Hannibal.

Continuing Work and Leonardo

Breazeal continues to work on the issue of social interaction and learning between humans and robots. She collaborated with the 'Stan Winston Studio' to develop another globally recognized robot, Leonardo, which succeeded Kismet. In 2006, Leonardo was named one of the "50 Greatest Robots of All Time" by Wired magazine. Leonardo is used for research on social cognition and modeling human mental states in robots. It also explores the ability of robots to socially learn and form connections, including the ability to imitate.

NEXI and Personal Robots Group

NEXI, one of Breazeal's latest robots, was listed as one of the "50 Best Inventions" by TIME magazine in 2008. NEXI is a mobile, dexterous, and socially interactive MDS-class (Mobile, Dexterous, and Socialized) robot. Equipped with a pair of movable wheels, gyroscopes, complex hand mechanisms, and a mobile facial musculature, NEXI represents the advancements in social robots developed by Breazeal's team, the Personal Robots Group.

AUTOM and Expressive Remote Presence Robots

AUTOM is a weight-loss consultant, dietitian, and trainer robot developed by Breazeal's team. This friendly and tactful robot monitors the eating habits and physical activity of its owner and provides a series of recommendations, delivered in the form of persuasive suggestions. AUTOM is currently in the commercialization stage. Additionally, Breazeal's team works on the development of expressive remote presence robots, including the robotic avatar MeBot and the huggable robot bear, Huggable. MeBot analyzes the operator's face and reacts using tiny hands and a movable neck, aiming to create a psychological presence effect during long-distance communication.

Recognition and Contributions

Breazeal has received recognition as an innovative designer at the national and international level. In 2008, she was awarded the Gilbreth Lectures Award by the National Academy of Engineering. She has spoken at various important events, including the World Science Festival, the World Economic Forum, and the TEDWomen conference. In 2003, Breazeal was named one of the "100 Top Young Innovators in the World Under the Age of 35" by MIT Technology Review.

On July 16, 2014, Breazeal launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the development of JIBO, the "first social robot for the whole family."