Ivana Olivieri

About

Ivana Olivieri is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) therapy, with a body of work that is reshaping how technology supports neurodevelopmental interventions. Her research focuses on socially assistive robotics, human-robot interaction, and automated behavioral assessment, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative therapeutic tools for children with ASD. Olivieri's most influential contribution is her robotic coaching platform designed to train motor, social, and cognitive skills in ASD children through dyadic interactions — a landmark work that has garnered 34 citations since 2021. Building on this foundation, she has developed sophisticated gesture recognition algorithms, real-time attention classifiers, and embodied mirroring systems using the NAO humanoid robot, collectively accumulating over 130 citations across her published works. Her 2023 scoping review of robotics applications in autism, already cited 26 times, stands as one of the most comprehensive surveys in the field. A hallmark of Olivieri's approach is the seamless integration of machine learning with clinical therapy protocols, enabling objective, quantitative assessment of children's behavioral responses. Her IOGIOCO project exemplifies this vision, translating research innovations into practical, validated therapeutic tools with measurable real-world impact.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Design of a Robotic Coach for Motor, Social and Cognitive Skills Training Toward Applications With ASD Children

   34 citations · 2021
2. 2
   A gesture recognition algorithm in a robot therapy for ASD children

   28 citations · 2022
3. 3
   Applications of Robotics for Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review

   26 citations · 2023
4. 4
   Design and validation of two embodied mirroring setups for interactive games with autistic children using the NAO humanoid robot

   15 citations · 2019
5. 5
   Attention Analysis in Robotic-Assistive Therapy for Children With Autism

   11 citations · 2024
6. 6
   Interactive mirrOring Games wIth sOCial rObot (IOGIOCO): a pilot study on the use of intransitive gestures in a sample of Italian preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

   7 citations · 2024
7. 7
   Sharing Worlds: Design of a Real-Time Attention Classifier for Robotic Therapy of ASD Children

   6 citations · 2022
8. 8
   CopyRobot: Interactive Mirroring Robotics Game for ASD Children

   6 citations · 2019
9. 9
   Development of an Interactive Total Body Robot Enhanced Imitation Therapy for ASD children

   5 citations · 2022

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links