Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Valentina Pennazio is a leading researcher at the intersection of assistive technology, developmental psychology, and special education, with a primary focus on leveraging social robotics and virtual environments to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Her work centers on using imitation-based interactions with humanoid robots to foster social communication and relational skills in children with profound autism, a contribution that has garnered over 35 citations for her foundational 2017 study. Pennazio has pioneered integrated approaches that combine robotics with 3D virtual worlds to develop Theory of Mind and social narratives, designing innovative interventions that bridge digital and physical play. Her research, conducted in collaboration with the University of Macerata and the RobotiCSS Lab at the University of Milan Bicocca, includes pilot studies in Italian preschools that use custom-built robots to create inclusive play environments. By demonstrating how social robots can act as mediators for children with ASD, Pennazio has established herself as a key figure in the field of educational robotics, offering practical, evidence-based pathways for enhancing social interaction and communication in neurodiverse learners.