Clelia Malighetti

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About

Clelia Malighetti is a leading researcher at the intersection of social robotics and developmental psychology, exploring how humans—particularly emerging adults—conceptualize, expect, and relate to autonomous machines. Her work centers on the psychological and relational dimensions of human–robot interaction (HRI), with a focus on shared experience, trust, and the gap between technological capability and user expectations. In her highly cited paper “Machines Like Us and People Like You: Toward Human–Robot Shared Experience” (2021, 20 citations), Malighetti argues that for robots to become effective collaborators in domains like healthcare, search and rescue, and education, they must be designed to co-construct meaning and emotion with humans—not merely execute tasks. Her complementary study “Emerging Adults' Expectations About the Next Generation of Robots” (2021, 16 citations) uses latent profile analysis to reveal distinct user profiles, demonstrating that expectations vary widely and often exceed current technological realities. This work is critical for designers and policymakers aiming to align robot development with genuine human needs. Malighetti’s contributions are shaping a more nuanced, user-centered approach to social robotics, bridging engineering and psychology to build machines that truly resonate with people.