Laura Maria Morelli

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About

Laura Maria Morelli explores the intersection of robotic art, emotion, and compassion, creating works that challenge viewers to reconsider the boundaries between technology and human feeling. Her research centers on animatronics and computational models of emotion, particularly how robotic art can evoke empathy and reflect complex psychological states. Her most notable contribution is the animated artwork *survivor*, a walking chair that symbolizes individuals maimed by landmine blasts—both physically and emotionally. The piece’s haunting dynamics emulate the struggles of survivors learning to use crutches, inviting audiences to engage with themes of trauma and resilience. Morelli’s work has garnered attention in the philosophy of art and robotics communities, with her papers “Have computation, animatronics, and robotic art anything to say about emotion, compassion, and how to model them?” (9 citations) and “Emulation of Human Feelings and Behaviors in an Animated Artwork” (8 citations) laying foundational ideas for emotionally expressive robotic art. Through her innovative fusion of engineering and artistic expression, Morelli demonstrates how technology can serve as a medium for deep human connection, making her a distinctive voice in the emerging field of compassionate robotics.