Suzanne Graca

Boston Children's Hospital, Boston Children's Museum

Papers

Total Citations

157

H-Index

About

Suzanne Graca is a leading researcher in socially assistive robotics, with a focus on pediatric healthcare. Her work centers on designing and deploying robots that provide socio-emotional support to children and families in hospital settings. Her most impactful contribution is the development of the "Huggable" robot, a soft, touch-sensitive companion designed to mitigate stress, anxiety, and pain during pediatric care. Her seminal 2015 paper on this topic has garnered 111 citations, highlighting its influence on the field. Graca’s research addresses critical gaps in human resource availability by offering scalable, non-pharmacological interventions for young patients. Her design philosophy prioritizes the emotional vulnerability of children, creating robots that are playful, comforting, and non-intimidating. This work has been recognized for its practical impact, with the Huggable being deployed in real hospital environments to improve patient experience. Graca’s contributions bridge robotics, human-computer interaction, and child psychology, offering a compassionate vision for technology in healthcare. Her research remains a cornerstone for scholars exploring human-robot interaction in clinical settings.