Maya Cakmak

Maya Cakmak is a Professor at the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, where she directs the Human-Centered Robotics Lab and participates in the Robotics Group and UW+Amazon Science Hub. Her work bridges artificial intelligence, human-centered computing, and physical interaction systems.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.Sc. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey
• M.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey
• Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Institute of Technology (2012)
• Postdoctoral research at Willow Garage, Inc. with Leila Takayama

Cakmak's research centers on democratizing robot programming for diverse users through human-robot interaction, end-user programming, and assistive robotics. She specifically targets accessibility challenges in home environments, developing systems where robots accommodate unique user needs and preferences without requiring technical expertise. Her expertise spans human-centered AI, accessibility engineering, and physical assistive technologies.

Recent publications (2023-2024) reveal a concentrated focus on accessible teleoperation interfaces and intuitive robot control mechanisms, particularly for domestic assistive applications. Key themes include customizable web-based control systems, novel input devices for manipulation tasks, and social dining assistance, demonstrating a clear trajectory toward practical in-home robot deployment.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Best Short Contribution award at HRI 2024 for robot manipulator control research
• Best Video award at HRI 2024 for in-home robot deployment documentation
• HRI 2023 Best Design Paper award for assistive feeding systems

As Principal Investigator of NSF-funded AccessComputing (since January 2024), Cakmak leads nationwide efforts to broaden participation of people with disabilities in computing fields. She mentors students through undergraduate research courses (CSE 390R) and lab supervision, while her RO-MAN 2024 keynote 'Towards Physically Assistive Robots in the Home' outlines her vision for future home-care robotics. Her lab actively collaborates with industry partners through the UW+Amazon Science Hub to advance real-world assistive technologies.

The Human-Centered Robotics Lab operates within the Allen School's Robotics Group, maintaining strong ties to the Socially Intelligent Machines Lab (Georgia Tech) and Kovan Lab (Middle East Technical University) where her research journey began under Andrea Thomaz and Erol Sahin respectively.