Janelle Smith
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Janelle Smith is a developmental psychologist and rehabilitation engineer whose research lies at the intersection of infant motor development and assistive robotics. Her work focuses on how early mobility—or its absence—shapes cognitive, perceptual, and social-emotional growth. Smith’s most cited study, “A comparison of the efficacy of weight-shift vs. joystick control of a robotic mobility device by infants ages 5 to 10 months” (2017, 4 citations), is a foundational contribution to the field of early powered mobility. It demonstrates that infants as young as five months can learn to drive a robot using weight-shift control, offering a critical intervention for those with motor impairments. This work challenges assumptions about the minimum age and cognitive prerequisites for self-directed mobility and has implications for designing assistive technologies that support developmental trajectories. Smith’s research bridges engineering and developmental science, providing empirical evidence that early access to mobility can mitigate developmental delays. Her contributions are particularly notable for centering the infant’s agency and exploring how robotic devices can serve as tools for both movement and learning.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1