Maja J. Matarić
Also known as Maja J. Mataric
Maja Matarić develops socially assistive robotics: systems intended to support people through interaction and personalized assistance. Matarić received a doctorate in computer science and AI from MIT in 1994. She also earned an MIT master’s degree in 1990 and studied computer science at Kansas. Matarić authored The Robotics Primer, published by MIT Press in 2007. The introductory textbook forms part of her work on robotics education.
- Now at
- Interaction Lab and University of Southern California
- Works
- 671
- Citations
- 32,240
- h-index
- 84
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 14 October 2026.
Timeline
-
1994
Doctoral research
Matarić received a doctorate in computer science and AI from MIT in 1994. She also earned an MIT master’s degree in 1990 and studied computer science at Kansas.
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2007
The Robotics Primer
Matarić authored The Robotics Primer, published by MIT Press in 2007. The introductory textbook forms part of her work on robotics education.
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2016
Research recognition
AAAI elected Maja J. Matarić as a Fellow in 2016.
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2020
Moxie robot launch
Matarić co-founded Embodied, which launched the Moxie socially assistive home robot in May 2020. Moxie was designed to support child development.
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As of October 2026
Socially assistive robotics
Her Interaction Lab develops algorithms and models for personalized assistance in rehabilitation, training, and education. The research includes children with autism and people recovering from stroke.
Sources and credits
Photo: UCLA Library, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 3.0. Source: commons.wikimedia.org. Cropped to a square and resized. Ask us to remove or replace this photo.
