Ronit Feingold-Polak
Papers
16
Total Citations
506
H-Index
9
About
Ronit Feingold-Polak is a leading researcher in socially assistive robotics (SARs) and human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on stroke rehabilitation and the role of trust in therapeutic settings. Her work has made substantial contributions to understanding how social robots can support long-term rehabilitation for post-stroke patients, culminating in a pioneering gamified system using the humanoid robot Pepper that integrates participatory design from both clinicians and patients. Feingold-Polak's most influential contribution — her 2019 paper on trust in socially assistive robots (179 citations) — established trust as a foundational variable in rehabilitation robotics, shaping how researchers and designers approach human-robot interaction in clinical contexts. Her continued investigation of trust across multiple studies (57 additional citations combined) has built a robust theoretical and applied framework for the field. Notably, she has also examined how age shapes user experience with humanoid robots, highlighting important design considerations for older adult populations. Her 2024 randomized controlled trial marks a significant methodological milestone, moving the field from laboratory studies toward real-world clinical validation. With over 480 total citations, Feingold-Polak's body of work is essential reading for anyone exploring the intersection of rehabilitation medicine, robotics, and human-centered design.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Trust in socially assistive robots: Considerations for use in rehabilitation179 citations · 2019
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- 3Social Robot for Rehabilitation63 citations · 2020
- 4Social robots in rehabilitation: A question of trust57 citations · 2018
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