Innovazioni in psicologia della salute: il contributo della Social Assistive Robotics. Tra opportunità terapeutiche e questioni aperte della robotica sociale

ABSTRACT

If progress is synonymous with Artificial Intelligence, then social robotics represents a field that has gained growing interest in recent years, especially for its potential applications in the assistance and healthcare system. As a direct consequence of multiple socio-demographic factors, including the global increase in the elderly population, the need to enhance and update the therapeutical tools available, and the growing advances in technology, the research on the presented subject is receiving greater attention that the Covid-19 pandemic has only amplified further. In this context of interest, this article aims to point out the contribution of social robotics, more specifically of assistive robotics, for the elderly population. To this end, an overview of the most recent applications of this technology is proposed, starting with the analysis of its applications both in the clinical setting with psychiatric and neurodegenerative pathologies and in a private one as an opportunity to support the user's autonomy in daily life. In conclusion, the potential psychological-relational implications of social robotics and simulated affectivity are enlighted and discussed through the analysis of the user's self-deception. © 2022 Franco Angeli Edizioni. All rights reserved.