Papers
17
Total Citations
684
H-Index
11
About
Zhi Zheng is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, human-robot interaction, and assistive technology, with a particular focus on developing innovative robotic systems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and elderly care. His most influential work explores how socially assistive robots can address core developmental challenges in ASD, including joint attention and imitation skills — foundational competencies that shape broader social and cognitive development. Zheng's landmark contributions include designing autonomous robot-mediated intervention platforms that have demonstrated measurable improvements in joint attention behaviors among young children with ASD, culminating in a rigorous randomized controlled trial that validates his approach with clinical evidence. His most-cited paper, "Can Robotic Interaction Improve Joint Attention Skills?" (2013, 186 citations), helped establish the field's empirical foundation. Beyond ASD research, Zheng extended his expertise to elder care through the ROCARE architecture (69 citations), addressing quality-of-life challenges in aging populations using multi-user engagement models. With over 600 cumulative citations, Zheng's work has meaningfully shaped assistive robotics research. His broader interests also encompass STEAM education and social robot design, reflecting a commitment to making technology accessible, beneficial, and human-centered across diverse populations.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Can Robotic Interaction Improve Joint Attention Skills?186 citations · 2013
- 2Robot-Mediated Imitation Skill Training for Children With Autism98 citations · 2015
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- 5Autonomous robot-mediated imitation learning for children with autism54 citations · 2014
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- 10Both “look and feel” matter: Essential factors for robotic companionship12 citations · 2017