Marcelo Carboni Gomes

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Marcelo Carboni Gomes is a pioneering researcher in educational robotics and digital inclusion, whose work has significantly impacted technology democratization in emerging countries. His primary research areas focus on bridging the digital divide through robotics education, particularly in public schools across Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state. Gomes's most notable contribution is the development of the "KickRobot" pedagogical software, created on the Kylix platform under Red Hat Linux, which formed the cornerstone of the RoboEdu pilot project. This innovative initiative, supported by both UNESCO and the Brazilian Ministry of Education, aimed to provide high school and vocational students with their first meaningful contact with computers and robotics experiments. His work addresses critical challenges in technology access, as demonstrated in his 2010 study on digital divide cases in emerging countries. While his citation counts (5 and 2 respectively) reflect the niche but vital nature of his research, Gomes's true impact lies in his pioneering efforts to popularize science and technology among underserved populations. His RoboEdu project represents a landmark achievement in using robotics as a tool for social inclusion and educational innovation in developing nations.