Filomena Soares
Papers
34
Total Citations
590
H-Index
13
About
Filomena Soares is a pioneering researcher whose work sits at the intersection of robotics, human-computer interaction, and autism therapy. Best known for her sustained focus on robot-assisted interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Soares has spent over a decade developing and evaluating innovative approaches to enhance social communication, emotional recognition, and body awareness in autistic children and adolescents. Her most-cited work, "Using a Humanoid Robot to Elicit Body Awareness and Appropriate Physical Interaction in Children with Autism" (2014, 119 citations), exemplifies her signature methodology: deploying humanoid robots like KASPAR as therapeutic partners in structured play scenarios. From early explorations using LEGO Mindstorms robots (2009) to sophisticated deep learning frameworks for action recognition (2021), her research trajectory reflects both breadth and depth. Soares has also contributed meaningfully to brain-computer interface literature and emotion conveyance through robotic gestures and facial expressions. With a cumulative body of work exceeding 400 citations, her research has meaningfully shaped how assistive robotics is understood and applied within special education and clinical settings, offering tangible pathways to improved quality of life for neurodivergent individuals.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Promoting interaction amongst autistic adolescents using robots59 citations · 2010
- 3Facial Expressions and Gestures to Convey Emotions with a Humanoid Robot43 citations · 2013
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- 5Fostering Emotion Recognition in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder29 citations · 2021
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