Rebecca Funke
Papers
4
Total Citations
52
H-Index
3
About
Rebecca Funke is a leading researcher at the intersection of developmental robotics and pediatric rehabilitation, specializing in socially assistive robotics for early intervention. Her pioneering work focuses on using humanoid robots to encourage and assess infant leg-motion training, particularly for infants at risk of developmental delays. Funke’s major contribution is the development of noncontact, contingent reward-learning systems that leverage imitation and adaptive difficulty to motivate infant movement, offering a novel alternative to traditional physical therapy. Her most-cited paper, “Socially Assistive Infant-Robot Interaction” (2019, 35 citations), validates this approach by demonstrating how robots can positively influence neurodevelopmental outcomes through playful, interactive training. She also authored a foundational data collection study (2018, 9 citations) cataloging infants’ visual, physical, and behavioral reactions to small humanoid robots, providing critical insights for designing robot-mediated therapies. Funke’s work has been recognized for its potential to transform early intervention, making therapy more engaging and accessible. Her research bridges robotics, developmental science, and clinical practice, offering scalable tools to support motor learning in vulnerable populations.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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