David Kontak
Assistant Professor School of Occupational Therapy
School
School of Occupational Therapy
Department
School of Occupational Therapy
Office Phone Office Phone: 603-314-1721
Website Website: www.kontakcreative.com
About
David Kontak is an assistant professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at MCPHS. He began his career as a visual arts educator, and creativity continues to inform his teaching and practice. He earned his MS in occupational therapy from Colorado State University and has taught at Colorado State, Kent State University, the University of Akron, and the University of Colorado.
Kontak’s primary area of focus is assistive technology, both in clinical settings and research. Much of his research has been conducted in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and he has presented widely on the topic at conferences and academic institutions.
Education
- BFA, Kent State University
- MA, Kent State University
- MS, Colorado State University
Research Interests
- Assistive Technology
- Human/Robot Interaction
Programs
Education
- BFA, Kent State University
- MA, Kent State University
- MS, Colorado State University
Research Interests
- Assistive Technology
- Human/Robot Interaction
Programs
Publications
- Design guidelines for human–robot interaction with assistive robot manipulation systems, 2021
- An Evaluation Protocol for Selection of Educational Technologies for Students with Developmental Disabilities: A Demonstration Study Using iPad Apps, 2015
- Measuring the Efficacy of Robots in Autism Therapy: How Informative are Standard HRI Metrics, 2015
- Accessible Human-Robot Interaction for Telepresence Robots: A Case Study, 2015
- Towards designing telepresence robot navigation for people with disabilities, 2014
- Designing speech-based interfaces for telepresence robots for people with disabilities, 2013
- “I Want That”: Human-in-the-Loop Control of a Wheelchair-Mounted Robotic Arm, 2011
- Development and evaluation of a flexible interface for a wheelchair mounted robotic arm, 2008
- Design and Evaluation of a Laser Joystick in a Fixed Turret Assembly, 2007
- Experimental design for human-robot interaction with assistive technology, 2007
- Designing Telepresence Robot Systems for Use by People with Special Needs, 2007
- “Collaborative Research: A Novel User Interface for Operating an Assistive Robot Arm in Unstructured Environments,” National Science Foundation, IIS-0534576/0649736, 12/1/05 – 11/30/08, Crotched Mountain subaward through Clarkson University/University of Central Florida: $70,000.
- “HCC: Large: Collaborative Research: Human-Robot Dialog for Collaborative Navigation Tasks,” National Science Foundation, IIS-1111125, 8/15/11 – 7/31/13 (no-cost extension to 7/31/15), Crotched Mountain subaward: $29,700.
- “NRI: Collaborative Research: Human-Supervised Perception and Grasping in Clutter,” National Science Foundation, IIS-1426968, 9/1/14 – 1/31/18 (no-cost extension to 1/31/19), Crotched Mountain subaward: $39,800.
- “CHS: Medium: Collaborative Research: Manipulation Assistance for Activities of Daily Living in Everyday Environments,” National Science Foundation, IIS-1763469, 8/1/18 – 7/31/22 (no-cost extension to 7/31/23), Consultant payments: $16,312.50.
Awards & Honors
- Best of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Magazine 2013