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About

Anabela Farias is a leading researcher in social robotics and human-robot interaction, with a focused commitment to developing autonomous systems for therapeutic applications. Her work is centered on creating semi-unstructured, adaptive robotic platforms that can engage in natural social interactions, particularly for children with autism spectrum disorder. Farias’s most-cited paper, “Project INSIDE: towards autonomous semi-unstructured human–robot social interaction in autism therapy” (2018, 45 citations), represents a pioneering contribution to the field, demonstrating how robots can facilitate social engagement without rigid scripting, thereby promoting more authentic communication and behavioral responses in therapy settings. This work has been instrumental in shifting the paradigm from teleoperated to autonomous robotic interventions, offering scalable tools for clinicians. Beyond this, Farias has explored multi-modal sensing and real-time adaptation in robotic systems, advancing the integration of computer vision and affective computing. Her research has garnered recognition for its translational impact, bridging engineering and clinical practice. With a growing citation footprint, Farias continues to shape how robots can serve as empathetic, responsive partners in healthcare, making her a key figure in the future of socially assistive robotics.