Papers
13
Total Citations
336
H-Index
8
About
Sandra Costa is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) intervention. Her work focuses on leveraging humanoid robots—particularly KASPAR and ZECA—to develop social, communicative, and emotional skills in children and adolescents with autism. Costa’s most influential study, “Using a Humanoid Robot to Elicit Body Awareness and Appropriate Physical Interaction in Children with Autism” (119 citations), demonstrated how tactile-sensitive robots could teach gentle touch and body awareness. Her foundational 2010 paper (59 citations) showed that robots could promote social interaction among autistic adolescents with mental impairments, a population often overlooked in assistive technology research. Across her body of work—including studies on facial expressions, emotion labeling, and imitation scenarios—Costa has consistently shown that robots serve as predictable, non-judgmental social mediators that reduce anxiety and encourage engagement. Her cumulative impact exceeds 300 citations, with multiple studies exploring how robotic platforms can help children recognize and express emotions, develop communication skills, and transfer these abilities to human interactions. Costa’s research remains vital for therapists, engineers, and educators designing technology-assisted interventions for neurodiverse populations.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Promoting interaction amongst autistic adolescents using robots59 citations · 2010
- 3Facial Expressions and Gestures to Convey Emotions with a Humanoid Robot43 citations · 2013
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- 6
- 7Development of skills in children with ASD using a robotic platform13 citations · 2012
- 8
- 9Robots as Tools to Help Children with ASD to Identify Emotions7 citations · 2014
- 10Lego Robots & Autism Spectrum Disorder: a potential partnership?5 citations · 2016