Bestie Bot
Spatial AI, multimodal sensing, and software systems built around people aging at home.
Technology in a lived environment
At Bestie Bot, Richard worked on AI systems combining spatial understanding, thermal and depth sensing, and software for home monitoring and telehealth. The engineering question was practical: how can a system interpret a changing environment in a way that supports people and caregivers?
His full-time work from 2020 to 2024 included technical leadership, AI architecture, full-stack development, and engineering management. The work spanned Python services, web and mobile applications, edge hardware, multimodal retrieval, and deployment and evaluation pipelines.
Research with institutional partners
Penn's December 2022 announcement names Richard as principal investigator for the Bestie Bot project, RGBd + Thermal Computer Vision Platform for Home Monitoring and Telehealth. It was selected through PennAITech's competitive pilot program, supported by the National Institute on Aging.
PennAITech's September 2023 newsletter identifies Richard as a co-founder and CEO. His leadership also encompassed CTO and principal engineering responsibilities, linking the product's architecture with the work of its engineering team.
From sensing to representation
The related patent documents a multi-sensor approach to situational awareness. Together, these records show a sustained interest in connecting AI architecture with physical context and human needs.
SOURCES & FURTHER EXPLORATION