Dance

Could a robot dance partner help us de-stress? UMBC researchers explore the ‘algo-rhythmic’ possibilities

Jul 11, 2025 • By Catherine Meyers

Three UMBC faculty who have joined forces to explore whether and how dancing robots might offer humans new tools to improve their mental health. The research piggybacks off established practices of human-to-human dance/movement therapy, which can be used to treat some mental health challenges, such as schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. A June performance during the Movement, Music, and Brain Health National Science Foundation (NSF) AccelNet meeting on the UMBC campus was a chance for the team to creatively demonstrate their progress to brain researchers and artists from around the world.