Damith HERATH

Damith HERATH is a Professor of Robotics and Art at the University of Canberra, leading the Collaborative Robotics Lab and the Robots, Art, People and Performance Lab. His work bridges robotics with artistic and healthcare applications, emphasizing human-centric design. He founded Australia's first collaborative robotics startup in 2011, recognized as an innovative tech company in 2014. His research focuses on human-robot interaction (HRI), rehabilitation robotics, and cybersecurity in robotics systems.

Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but his career spans over two decades with significant industry collaborations. He has led teams in the Amazon Robotics Challenge and edited the seminal book Robots and Art: Exploring an Unlikely Symbiosis, showcasing interdisciplinary contributions.

Research interests include: collaborative robotics, HRI in clinical settings, robotic art installations, and secure robotics frameworks. His recent work explores social presence in HRI, memory-driven AI systems, and rehabilitation robotics impacts. He has contributed to over 58 publications, with a focus on both theoretical advancements and practical applications.

Notable projects include Assistive Technologies for Young People Safety on Two-Wheelers (2025-2027), Next-Gen Robotics (Germii), and Robotic Art and HRI initiatives. His labs emphasize transdisciplinary collaboration, integrating art, robotics, and healthcare to address societal challenges. He actively supervises PhD students in areas like collaborative robotics and HRI.