Maria Lencastre

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About

Maria Lencastre is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics and rehabilitation, with a focused expertise in human-robot interaction and assistive technologies. Her most influential work, "On the Use of Social Robots for Rehabilitation: The Case of NAO Physio," published in 2023, has already garnered 3 citations, signaling growing recognition in the field. In this study, Lencastre explores the deployment of the NAO robot as a physiotherapy assistant, demonstrating how socially interactive robots can enhance patient engagement and motor recovery in clinical settings. Her contributions bridge engineering and healthcare, offering scalable, empathetic solutions for rehabilitation—particularly for stroke survivors and individuals with motor impairments. By integrating adaptive algorithms with human-centered design, she has advanced the practical application of robots beyond industrial contexts into therapeutic environments. Lencastre’s work is notable for its emphasis on real-world efficacy and patient outcomes, positioning her as a rising voice in socially assistive robotics. Her research not only pushes the boundaries of human-robot collaboration but also inspires future innovations in accessible, robot-assisted therapy.