Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Flavia Marino is a leading researcher at the intersection of child neuropsychiatry and advanced technology, specializing in robot-assisted therapy (RAT) and digital interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Her seminal 2019 study on robot-assisted social-emotional understanding interventions, cited 118 times, demonstrated that humanoid robots can effectively promote social skills and communication in young children with ASD. Marino’s comprehensive 2022 review, with 71 citations, critically examined the modalities, indications, and pitfalls of social robots in this population, establishing her as a key voice in translational neuroscience. She has also systematically evaluated information and communication technologies (ICTs) through a positive technology lens, showing how serious games and social robots can be appealing and appropriate tools. Her recent work explores virtual reality (VR) as a groundbreaking pathway for unlocking learning and growth in ASD. Marino’s research on neuroimaging endophenotypes further links social robotic applications to underlying brain mechanisms, bridging behavioral outcomes with neural correlates. With a career dedicated to evidence-based, technology-driven interventions, she continues to shape how clinicians and educators harness robotics and VR to support children with autism.