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About

Alessandro Pollini is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, assistive technology, and social robotics. His scholarship is particularly distinguished by a sustained focus on how autonomous, socially capable robots can enrich the lives of vulnerable populations, most notably children with disabilities. Pollini's most influential contribution, "Engaging with Artificial Pets" (2005, 62 citations), established him as a thoughtful theorist of human-robot social dynamics, exploring the compelling yet complex nature of emotional engagement with autonomous robotic systems. This conceptual groundwork informed his landmark practical project, the IROMEC robotic companion, a modular robot designed to empower children with a range of physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities to explore diverse play styles — from solitary to cooperative. Multiple papers emerging from this project, including "A Robotic Toy for Children with Special Needs" (2009, 37 citations) and "Exploring Play Styles with a Robot Companion," demonstrate both rigorous design methodology and genuine social purpose. Pollini's broader intellectual interests extend to the phenomenology of human-artefact relationships, as seen in "Experiencing the Flow" and "A Theoretical Perspective on Social Agency." With over 160 cumulative citations, his work represents a meaningful bridge between interaction design theory and real-world assistive innovation.