Raffaella Esposito

Papers

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About

Raffaella Esposito is a rising researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a focus on the social and cognitive dimensions of assistive robotics. Her work centers on two key areas: the ethical and practical implications of deception in HRI, and the integration of Theory of Mind (ToM) into robotic systems. In her highly cited 2025 systematic review, "Deception in HRI and Its Implications," Esposito critically examines how robots might use deception—whether for educational purposes, protecting feelings, or strategic advantage—and its broader societal ramifications. This work, garnering 9 citations, has become a foundational reference for scholars navigating the ethical landscape of robot design. Complementing this, her 2025 study "Comparing Cognitive and Affective Theory of Mind for an Assistive Robotics Application" demonstrates how robots can assess both task states and user emotional responses to offer tailored support. By distinguishing between cognitive and affective ToM, Esposito advances the development of empathetic, context-aware assistive robots. Her research is particularly impactful for students and engineers designing robots for caregiving, education, and cooperative tasks, offering a nuanced blueprint for building machines that are not only functional but socially intelligent and ethically sound.