Marco Caldeira

Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Marco Caldeira is a researcher dedicated to democratizing robotics for education and social inclusion. His work centers on two key areas: developing low-cost educational robotics platforms and creating assistive robotic systems for disabled children. His most influential paper, "Proposal of educational environments with mobile robots" (12 citations), established the principle that affordable, mobile robots can effectively support computing education, making hands-on learning accessible to a wider range of students. Building on this foundation, Caldeira’s research takes a profoundly human-centered turn. In "A friendly mobile entertainment robot for disabled children" (6 citations) and "Use of myoelectric signals to command mobile entertainment robot by disabled children" (3 citations), he pioneers the use of myoelectric control—signals from muscle activity—to allow severely disabled children to command a robot. This innovation directly addresses a critical need: providing children with limited mobility the opportunity for independent exploration and interaction. By designing robots that respond to a child’s own biological signals, Caldeira’s work transforms a simple machine into a tool for empowerment, fostering a sense of agency and capability. His contributions bridge engineering and social impact, demonstrating how thoughtful robotic design can create meaningful, inclusive educational experiences.