Melissa Ferretti

Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, National Research Council

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Melissa Ferretti is a leading voice in human-robot interaction, with a focused expertise on the ethical and social integration of assistive technologies for the aging population. Her research critically examines the "acceptability" and "agreeability" of caregiving robots, arguing that technological efficacy must be matched by user-centered design to ensure real-world adoption. Dr. Ferretti’s major contributions are encapsulated in her role as a principal investigator for the NINFA project, whose final results (10 citations) provide foundational insights into how new technologies impact the daily lives of elderly people. Her highly cited work, "The ACCEPTABILITY of Caregiver Robots in Elderly People" (6 citations), directly addresses the psychological and social barriers to robotic care, while her study "How Should a Robot Caregiver for Elderly People Be" (2 citations) offers a prescriptive framework for designing empathetic, non-intrusive robotic companions. By prioritizing user experience over pure functionality, Dr. Ferretti has shaped a more humane path for gerontechnology, ensuring that innovations in independent living are not only effective but truly welcomed by those they aim to serve.