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About

Massimiliano Scopelliti is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of psychology, human-robot interaction, and assistive technology for aging populations. His work fundamentally explores how people perceive, accept, and interact with domestic robots and intelligent environments. Scopelliti’s most influential contribution is his psychological approach to domestic robotics, demonstrated in his highly cited 2005 paper “Robots in a domestic setting: a psychological approach” (240 citations). He was a key figure in the RoboCare project, developing the RoboCare Domestic Environment (RDE)—a three-year initiative creating sensor-equipped homes with intelligent software and robotic agents to provide cognitive support for elderly users. His cross-cultural evaluation of assistive robots (34 citations) comparing Italian and Swedish elderly users remains a landmark in understanding cultural influences on technology acceptance. Scopelliti’s research uniquely bridges technical development with rigorous user studies, revealing the “joys and sorrows” of real-world experimentation. His work has shaped how we design proactive assistive technologies that respect users’ psychological needs, making him a foundational voice in the human-centered design of robotic caregivers for an aging society.