Papers
3
Total Citations
8
H-Index
2
About
Koen Smit is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics, child psychology, and educational technology. His work focuses on deploying humanoid robots—particularly the Softbank Robotics NAO—as interactive tools to improve pediatric healthcare and primary education. In a landmark 2024 study, Smit demonstrated that social robots can significantly reduce pain and anxiety in children aged 4-12 during blood draws, offering a compelling alternative to traditional distraction techniques. This work has garnered early attention with 3 citations, signaling growing interest in robot-assisted clinical care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smit conducted an exploratory field study showing how social robots can help bridge learning gaps in mathematics when schools reopened, addressing the educational hiatuses caused by lockdowns. Most recently, in 2024, he has advanced the field by integrating Large Language Models with social robots, creating more responsive and personalized educational interactions. Though his citation counts are currently modest, Smit’s research is at the forefront of a transformative shift—using embodied AI to enhance both medical and learning environments for children.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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