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About

Pedro Sequeira is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction, and educational technology. His research focuses primarily on designing autonomous robots capable of empathic and socially intelligent behavior, with particular emphasis on collaborative and group learning environments. Sequeira's most influential contribution, "Empathic Robot for Group Learning" (2019, 86 citations), investigates whether robots equipped with empathic competencies can foster sustained positive educational outcomes in real classroom settings — a question with far-reaching implications for the future of AI-assisted education. His work on Project INSIDE (2018, 45 citations) extends these principles into autism therapy, exploring how semi-unstructured human-robot social interaction can support vulnerable populations. A methodological innovator, Sequeira also developed restricted-perception Wizard-of-Oz studies as a principled framework for discovering social interaction strategies, garnering 41 citations. Across his portfolio, he examines nuanced social dynamics — including peer assessment, role assignment, and interpersonal responsibility — that emerge when robots join human groups. With over 260 citations across his key publications, Sequeira's research makes a compelling case that socially aware robots can meaningfully enrich human learning and therapeutic experiences.