Johanna Tobar

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Johanna Tobar is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, education, and assistive technology, with a focused commitment to improving the lives of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Her key research areas include human-robot interaction, therapeutic robotics, and inclusive educational technologies. Dr. Tobar’s major contributions center on developing innovative robotic tools that directly address core deficits in social interaction and communication for children with ASD. Her most cited works—including “Autism Robotic Theater,” “Portable Robotic Modular Kit for Teaching Gestures in Children with ASD,” and “Robotic Tool as Support in Teaching Processes During COVID 19 Pandemic”—each demonstrate a practical, hands-on approach to using robotics as a scaffold for social learning. Notably, her “Autism Robotic Theater” leverages theatrical play to foster social engagement, while her modular kit enables gesture-based teaching. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she adapted her work to support remote learning, ensuring continuity of care. Though her citation counts are currently modest (2 each), the real-world impact of her work is profound, offering scalable, low-cost solutions that empower educators and therapists. Dr. Tobar’s research is a vital step toward making assistive robotics accessible and effective for vulnerable populations, bridging technology and human development.