Andrea Maieli

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About

Andrea Maieli is a researcher whose work sits at the compelling intersection of human-robot interaction, autism therapy, and user experience design. Her primary research focus is on how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive and build mental models of social robots, particularly humanoid platforms like Pepper. Maieli’s most cited work, “Autistic Children's Mental Model of an Humanoid Robot” (2021, 13 citations), provides foundational insights into how these children conceptualize robotic agents, offering crucial guidance for designing more effective therapeutic interventions. Building on this, her 2022 paper (3 citations) introduces a novel application of UX Personas to define a robot’s stable character and personality, a methodology derived from analyzing real-world social interactions between Pepper and autistic children in a therapeutic laboratory focused on autonomy. This work bridges the gap between technical robotics and user-centered design, ensuring that robots are not just functional but also socially and emotionally appropriate for vulnerable users. Maieli’s contributions are shaping how we design socially assistive robots that can genuinely support developmental goals, making her a key voice in inclusive robotics.