For decades, researchers around the world have invested public and private resources to develop autonomous and intelligent robots capable of assisting and keeping company with vulnerable people. However, much of the scientific community seems more attracted to complex research questions and to building “ad hoc” prototypes designed to explore such questions—destined to have an impact only in the distant future—rather than to the challenge of designing “more realistic” robots, able to perform simple tasks while making a concrete difference in society. Antonio Sgorbissa will share his experience in developing and deploying “simple but robust” social robots, as well as past and ongoing efforts to test them in real-world trials with people (e.g., to prevent delirium in hospitalized older adults or to improve the mood of individuals with spinal cord injuries). The ultimate objective is to create sustainable social robots capable of providing immediate and useful support—without requiring constant supervision by a robotic engineer ready to intervene at the first malfunction.

Recent advancements in assistive and rehabilitation robotics have underscored the growing potential of intelligent technologies to establish seamless human–machine integration in Rehabilitation and Assistive Robotics, primarily through closed-loop human–robot interfaces. These developments are increasingly converging with Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies, fostering integrated solutions that extend beyond clinical settings and into daily living environments. This presentation explores the emerging synergy between users and robotic systems, emphasizing how such seamless integration supports motor recovery and functional substitution for individuals with motor impairments or limb loss. Building upon a critical overview of the current state of the art, we will examine recent progress in multimodal human–machine interfaces and sensory feedback mechanisms—particularly haptic and proprioceptive modalities—implemented within both wearable and environment-integrated robotic platforms. Finally, the discussion will address key challenges and future directions at the intersection of rehabilitation robotics and AAL, including long-term adaptability, user-centered customization, and the integration of bioengineering, AI, and environmental intelligence to enable more autonomous, personalized, and context-aware assistive solutions.