Namrata Balakrishnan

The University of Texas at Arlington, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

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About

Namrata Balakrishnan’s research lies at the compelling intersection of human-robot interaction, machine learning, and assistive technology, with a particular focus on developing robotic systems for autism therapy. Her major contributions center on using robots to assess and improve social and motor skills in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In her most-cited work, “Human–Robot Gesture Analysis for Objective Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder” (2016, 29 citations), she pioneered a framework for using gesture analysis during human-robot interaction to provide objective, quantitative assessments of ASD symptoms, moving beyond subjective observational methods. She further advanced the field with her innovative “Online Dynamic Time Warping Algorithm for Human-Robot Imitation” (2021, 7 citations), which introduced a Segment-based Online Dynamic Time Warping (SODTW) algorithm. This novel method enables real-time, robust measurement of motion similarity during repetitive and cyclic human motions, a critical capability for adaptive robotic therapy. Her earlier work on “User adaptable tasks for differential teaching with applications to robotic autism therapy” (2015) laid the groundwork for personalized, gradually challenging imitation tasks. Through this focused body of work, Balakrishnan has established herself as a key contributor to the development of socially assistive robots that can objectively assess and therapeutically engage individuals with autism.