Lucia Billeci

About

Lucia Billeci is a leading researcher at the intersection of social robotics, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and artificial intelligence. Her work focuses on developing and evaluating robotic platforms—most notably the humanoid robot FACE (Facial Automation for Conveying Emotions)—to assess and treat social and emotional deficits in individuals with ASD. Billeci’s systematic review on autism and social robotics (484 citations) established the field’s foundation, while her subsequent studies quantified joint attention patterns during human-robot interactions and created modular therapeutic platforms. More recently, she has expanded into AI/ML applications for multi-domain robotic rehabilitation, with a 2025 review highlighting trends and future directions. Her contributions have been instrumental in bridging robotics, machine learning, and clinical therapy, offering scalable, data-driven interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders. With over 680 combined citations across her top-cited works, Billeci’s research continues to shape how technology can enhance social cognition and rehabilitation outcomes.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Autism and social robotics: A systematic review

   484 citations · 2015
2. 2
   Quantifying patterns of joint attention during human-robot interactions: An application for autism spectrum disorder assessment

   74 citations · 2018
3. 3
   The FACE of autism

   56 citations · 2010
4. 4
   Development and evaluation of a social robot platform for therapy in autism

   39 citations · 2011
5. 5
   Systematic review of AI/ML applications in multi-domain robotic rehabilitation: trends, gaps, and future directions

   28 citations · 2025
6. 6
   A Systematic Review of Machine Learning in Robotics-Assisted Rehabilitation

   2 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links