Huilin Zhu
Papers
3
Total Citations
118
H-Index
2
About
Huilin Zhu is a developmental researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social robotics, child development, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a focused body of research examining how humanoid robots can serve as therapeutic and educational tools, Zhu has made meaningful contributions to our understanding of how children with ASD interact with and learn from artificial social agents. Zhu's most cited work — garnering 79 citations — investigates whether social robots can help children with ASD navigate complex social rules, including distrust and deception, highlighting the potential of robot-mediated environments as unique learning spaces. Building on this, Zhu has explored the nuanced effects of robot interactions on gaze behavior and joint attention — core areas of difficulty for individuals with ASD — with a 37-citation study revealing that while robots can improve face-directed gaze, gains in joint attention are more limited and condition-dependent. Across this research portfolio, Zhu consistently employs carefully controlled comparative designs, contrasting human and robot initiators to isolate the specific role technology plays in social skill development. This work has meaningfully advanced the evidence base for robot-assisted interventions in autism, offering both promise and important cautions for clinicians, educators, and technology developers working to support neurodiverse children.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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