About Matilda’s team
Led by Professor Rajiv Khosla, we engage in service and social innovation for transforming businesses and lives, leading to a more sustainable and humane society.
We have over ten years experience in inclusive design and deployment of Matilda, working directly with older people, people with dementia, autism and intellectual disability, with businesses, social enterprises and with children at early learning centers and in schools.
In the development of this Australian innovation, we’ve conducted more than 35 field trials in residential aged care, home-based autism care, home-based dementia care, community centre and retirement village settings, in schools and in businesses. Our multidisciplinary team of experts are recognised nationally and internationally for our work in these settings. We have evidence of our results through collaborating with several universities and through research publications in aged care, dementia, autism, education and business.
We’ve conducted more than 35 field trials in residential aged care, home-based autism care, home-based dementia care, community centre and retirement village settings. Our multidisciplinary team of experts are recognised nationally and internationally for our work in these settings.
Dedicated to social innovation
Committed to improving social outcomes
We value customer-driven design and development – it’s about meeting stakeholder needs in aged care and disability care settings. We’re committed to the ethical design and use of MATILDA and associated AI technologies. Our approach blends social science perspectives and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to design for social innovation and sustainability.
Strong industry, community and client engagement
We have a history of innovative partnerships with businesses and organisations, achieving valuable research and consultancy outcomes. We engage with corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors to deliver solutions that address changing needs and build stronger communities.
Global focus We take a worldview to solving problems and addressing challenges. Our partnerships with our local and global partners have helped us to integrate multi-cultural perspective and design multi-lingual services.
The Matilda story
Across the world, healthcare systems are in crisis. The shortage of care workers puts significant demands on those who do hold caring roles. And the wellbeing of people who need the most support, our elderly and people experiencing disability and social isolation, is at risk. Without action, these groups may become even more isolated and suffer worsening mental health, with related impacts to physical wellbeing.
Matilda’s creator, Professor Rajiv Khosla, was driven to develop a solution from his personal experience with dementia and autism. His grandfather’s decline with dementia gave Rajiv painful insight into how the condition impacts quality of life. He was confident assistive technology could benefit those with diminished cognitive and communication capabilities, as well as their carers.
With his technical skill and research foundations in AI and machine learning, Rajiv united his team with social purpose to develop the emotionally and socially engaging robot we now know as Matilda.
The Team
Professor Rajiv Khosla
Professor Rajiv Khosla is the Director of Human Centred Innovations (HCI). He has a multidisciplinary background in management, engineering and computer science. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Management and Systems from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), and a Masters and PhD in Computer Science from La Trobe.
He has been a Visiting Research Scientist and Professor at:
- NEC Corporation (Japan)
- Kyoto University, Japan
- Wayne State University, Michigan, USA
- Uppsala University, Sweden
- University of Otago, New Zealand.
Rajiv’s research covers three main disciplines: information systems, computing, and engineering and has been published and reported in many journals. These journals include: Pattern Recognition, Expert Systems with Applications, IEEE Transactions in Engineering Management, IEEE Multimedia, Communications of the ACM, and IEEE Transactions in Power Systems.
He has filed patents and commercialised his research. He has received several teaching excellence awards and has pioneered the industry-orientation and design of undergraduate and postgraduate programs at La Trobe University since 1994. He has also been director of externally funded Business Systems and Knowledge Modelling research laboratory from 2002-09.
Ms. Elsa Wong
Director, Sales and Strategy HC Innovations
M.Sc. (Comp Sci), MBA, B.E.(Mechatronics)
Elsa has been working for NEC HK more than 20 years and was promoted through the ranks to Managing Director and the Global Head of “Centre of Excellence” for Smart Transportation.
Elsa was engaged in Research and Development projects and development of various IT systems.
She’s responsible for NEC’s strategic investment in start-ups.
Aravind Chandrashekhar Reddy
Software Engineer
Aravind has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Data Science from Deakin University. He is very passionate about engineering user driven solutions with Matilda. He likes challenges. In his free time, he likes to read and travel
Luigi Moran
Software Engineer
BSCE
Luigi completed his degree in science at Mapua Institute of Technology, specialising in robotics and mechatronics.
He enjoys programming in Linux embedded systems, and is passionate about working with robots to contribute towards health care and community care, and using robots to solve social problems.
Richard Stone
Operations lead
BBus (Hon)
Richard has a background working commercially in IT, and working in universities both as a lecturer and in research into innovative assistive technology solutions.
He has worked in industry in operations and management positions over the last 15 years, working with several start-up companies along the way both in Australia and overseas.