Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Francesca Agatolio is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of educational robotics, inclusive education, and learning support. Her scholarship focuses on harnessing robotic technologies to enhance learning outcomes, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized student populations. Agatolio's most influential contribution — a 2020 systematic review of Educational Robotics for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (69 citations) — critically examined the existing evidence base for robot-assisted interventions, establishing her as a key voice in understanding how technology can support children with conditions such as autism and ADHD. Her work extends beyond clinical populations: through the RoboESL project, she helped design and implement LEGO Mindstorms-based curricula aimed at combating early school leaving, reflecting a commitment to using robotics as a broad-spectrum educational tool. Agatolio has also advanced teacher training in this field, contributing a notable study on preparing learning support teachers to integrate robotics into their practice (25 citations). Her investigations into how robot-based learning shapes students' self-beliefs and problem-solving capabilities further demonstrate the depth of her educational inquiry. Collectively, her research makes a compelling case for robotics as a genuinely transformative force in inclusive and innovative education.