Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Elisa Felici is a distinguished researcher specializing in social robotics, human-robot interaction, and assistive technologies for older adults. Her work sits at the critical intersection of gerontology, psychology, and emerging technologies, addressing one of society's most pressing challenges: supporting aging populations while preserving their independence and quality of life. Felici's most celebrated contribution, "Robotic Services Acceptance in Smart Environments With Older Adults" (2018), has garnered 141 citations, establishing her as a leading voice in understanding how elderly users accept and engage with robotic systems in domestic settings. Her sustained involvement with the Robot-Era Project — spanning usability studies, acceptability frameworks, and psychosocial determinants of human-robot interaction — reflects a career built on rigorous, user-centered research design. Particularly noteworthy is her expansion into dementia care, exploring how social robots like the Paro seal can provide meaningful non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. She has also pioneered measurement tools in this field, developing the Robot Era Inventory to standardize acceptance evaluation. Her ongoing randomized controlled trial examining social robots for mild cognitive impairment signals her continued commitment to translating research into clinical practice. With over 230 cumulative citations, Felici's work meaningfully shapes how technology can humanely support vulnerable aging populations.