Francesco Clasadonte
Papers
7
Total Citations
93
H-Index
6
About
Francesco Clasadonte is a leading researcher in assistive robotics, specializing in the design of interactive robotic companions for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and intellectual disabilities. His major contributions center on creating soft, huggable, and mobile robots—such as Teo and Puffy—that blend full-body interaction, motion-sensing technology, and large-screen virtual environments to support therapeutic and educational interventions. Clasadonte’s work is distinguished by its close collaboration with therapists and special educators, ensuring that each robot addresses real clinical needs. His most cited paper (31 citations) introduces Teo, an emotional, configurable robot for developmental disorder interventions, while subsequent studies (23 and 11 citations) explore playful engagement and the unique inflatable design of Puffy, inspired by Disney’s Baymax. Through empirical studies involving children and caregivers, Clasadonte has demonstrated how these robots foster engagement, a prerequisite for learning in NDD populations. His research has been published in top venues like *Interaction Design and Children* and *IEEE RO-MAN*, and his robots have been deployed in pilot interventions, marking a significant step toward accessible, evidence-based robotic tools for developmental support.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Puffy — An inflatable robotic companion for pre-schoolers7 citations · 2017
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