Interview with Maja Matarić - 2019 Stanford Medicine Big Data | Precision Health

In this talk

1. 0:31

   Robots for social support

   Matarić says she moved from curiosity-driven robotics toward work with a clearer social mission after reflecting on how to explain its purpose to her children. Her research focuses on gaps in encouragement, companionship, and coaching that can make it hard for people to follow through on care and recovery. She describes socially assistive robotics as using robots to help people take action.

2. 3:37

   Autism, play, and human connection

   Matarić describes long-running work with people affected by stroke and autism, often prompted by healthcare colleagues bringing specific needs to her lab. She sees potential for robots to support behavioral therapy for autistic children, which she says cannot reach everyone who needs it. Robots can provide a comfortable play partner and help bring children together, while the goal remains stronger interaction with other people.

3. 6:05

   Robots as catalysts for care

   Matarić distinguishes embodied robots from screens because a physical presence can support more social interaction. She cautions that children should not be limited to robot companions; robots should help them practice connecting with peers. She hopes robots can extend emotional support and cites lab results in which people with special needs talked and disclosed more when robots helped bring them together.

4. 8:34

   Paying support forward

   As a woman and immigrant in technology, Matarić says outreach lets her share lessons and help younger people avoid facing the same barriers alone. Her advice is to resist pressure to fit a mold, accept uncertainty, and not demand perfection, including around math. When support feels scarce, she suggests finding someone else to help, which can create purpose and improve one’s own outlook.