Hilda Mulligan
Papers
2
Total Citations
46
H-Index
2
About
Hilda Mulligan is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of assistive robotics and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work focuses on leveraging humanoid robots as therapeutic tools to enhance attention, communication, and social skills in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Mulligan’s major contribution lies in demonstrating the feasibility of using robotic technology as an engaging, non-threatening medium for social intervention. Her most cited study (2013, 42 citations) showed that playing a memory card matching game with a humanoid robot significantly improved participants’ focus and social responsiveness compared to traditional methods. This work, along with a companion feasibility study (2012), established foundational evidence that robots can serve as effective, motivating partners for skill-building in ASD populations. By quantifying improvements in real-time social behaviors, Mulligan helped bridge the gap between human-robot interaction research and clinical practice. Her findings have inspired further exploration into robot-mediated therapy, positioning her as a key figure in the growing field of socially assistive robotics. For students and researchers, Mulligan’s work offers a compelling model of how technology can be humanized to meet the unique needs of neurodiverse learners.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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