Where memory lingers, design begins.

BIOGRAPHY

Hi, I’m Xiaoman Yang, currently pursuing my Master's in Design Technology at Cornell University. I was raised by my grandparents in Beijing, China. As I grew older, I watched them gradually grow weaker—facing increasing limitations in physical movement and spatial mobility.

I witnessed their transition from being my caregivers to struggling with their own independence. Beyond the physical changes, they experienced deep psychological adjustments. These moments moved me profoundly and sparked my interest in assistive design for people with varying levels of physical ability.

My goal is to design with empathy and a human-centered approach—creating more intuitive, emotionally acceptable interactions between humans and machines. I hope to help robots better support daily life and reduce the psychological and functional gap that often accompanies the gradual loss of physical capability.

Contact: xy498@cornell.edu