Sophia Bertoni

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About

Sophia Bertoni is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, social robotics, and the ethics of artificial intimacy. Her work explores the evolving role of companion robots as they transition from tools to emotionally significant partners in human life. In her highly cited 2024 paper, “Human–Robot Intimacy: Acceptance of Robots as Intimate Companions,” Bertoni critically examines the cultural and psychological dimensions of human-robot relationships, challenging conventional boundaries between machine and companion. Drawing on depictions from popular culture and emerging technological realities, she argues that as robots become integrated into society, they will naturally assume roles as assistants, collaborators, and even intimate partners. Her research has garnered significant attention, with her most influential work accumulating over 3 citations and sparking interdisciplinary dialogue across robotics, psychology, and bioethics. Bertoni’s contributions are notable for bridging speculative fiction with empirical social science, offering a nuanced framework for understanding acceptance of non-human companionship. Her work is essential reading for students and researchers interested in the future of human relationships with autonomous systems.