Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Angela La Forgia is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of neurodegenerative disease rehabilitation, social robotics, and digital health technologies. Her work focuses on developing innovative, technology-driven interventions to improve motor and cognitive function in older adults, particularly those with Parkinson's disease (PD). La Forgia's major contributions include the design and feasibility testing of the SI-ROBOTICS protocol, which uniquely combines Irish dancing with social robotics to address PD-related motor disorders, rigidity, and balance problems. Her 2021 study protocol (17 citations) and subsequent 2025 technical feasibility study (10 citations) provide foundational evidence for dance as an effective therapeutic exercise, while also demonstrating how robotic systems can enhance engagement and adherence. Beyond dance therapy, La Forgia has advanced rehabilitation practice by integrating commercial wearable sensors and social robots into an edge-fog-cloud architecture (2024, 3 citations), enabling real-time, personalized support. Her work on Rebecca, a telepresence robot designed as a social assistant for cognitive stimulation therapy (2025, 1 citation), further showcases her commitment to human-centered robotics. La Forgia's research is notable for its interdisciplinary approach, merging engineering, clinical science, and the arts to create scalable, accessible solutions for healthy aging.