David López Recio

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About

David López Recio is a leading researcher at the intersection of social robotics and geriatric care, whose work addresses the pressing challenges of an aging population. His primary research focuses on developing and programming humanoid robots—specifically the NAO platform—to assist in physiotherapy and rehabilitation for the elderly. Recio’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that robots can effectively model and guide physical movements, taking over key roles traditionally performed by human physiotherapists. His landmark studies, including “The NAO models for the elderly” (2016, 18 citations) and its 2013 precursor (17 citations), provide foundational evidence from user studies in assisted living facilities, showing that robots can enhance rehabilitation while alleviating strain on healthcare systems. In his 2013 work “Designing a new model for the elderly” (2 citations), Recio advocates for iterative, multidisciplinary design environments to optimize human-robot interaction. With a cumulative impact of nearly 40 citations, his research is a vital resource for students and engineers exploring how robotics can meet the projected 70% increase in Europe’s elderly population by 2050, making care more accessible and effective.