Educational robots, emotion recognition, and ASD: New Horizons in Special Education This article explores the potential of educational robotics in special education, particularly for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It discusses the benefits of using robots in education, emphasizing their role in creating inclusive learning environments and promoting social skills. The article presents the "Emorobot Project," an open-source social robot designed to recognize emotions and support children with ASD in developing social and communication skills. The project aims to provide teachers with a supportive tool that enables them to design individual activities and extend them to classmates. Educational robots can act as social mediators, helping students develop social skills, build peer connections, and reduce social isolation. The article also highlights the importance of using robots in a holistic approach, incorporating appropriate activity design, informed use of robots, and active involvement by teachers. The Emorobot Project is part of the EU-funded "Ecosystem of Innovation—Technopole of Rome" Project in NextGenerationEU. The robot is designed to be accessible, customizable, and equipped with features that allow it to recognize emotions and interact with users. The software component, EmoTracker, uses artificial intelligence to recognize emotional states and user attention levels, enabling the robot to adapt its interactions to individual needs. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating technology in education to improve learning outcomes and ensure that all students have access to quality education. The use of robots in education is a new frontier that offers numerous benefits, including promoting active learning, enhancing motivation, and fostering interpersonal skills. The article concludes that the integration of educational robotics in special education can significantly enhance the learning experience for children with ASD and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.Educational robots, emotion recognition, and ASD: New Horizons in Special Education This article explores the potential of educational robotics in special education, particularly for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It discusses the benefits of using robots in education, emphasizing their role in creating inclusive learning environments and promoting social skills. The article presents the "Emorobot Project," an open-source social robot designed to recognize emotions and support children with ASD in developing social and communication skills. The project aims to provide teachers with a supportive tool that enables them to design individual activities and extend them to classmates. Educational robots can act as social mediators, helping students develop social skills, build peer connections, and reduce social isolation. The article also highlights the importance of using robots in a holistic approach, incorporating appropriate activity design, informed use of robots, and active involvement by teachers. The Emorobot Project is part of the EU-funded "Ecosystem of Innovation—Technopole of Rome" Project in NextGenerationEU. The robot is designed to be accessible, customizable, and equipped with features that allow it to recognize emotions and interact with users. The software component, EmoTracker, uses artificial intelligence to recognize emotional states and user attention levels, enabling the robot to adapt its interactions to individual needs. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating technology in education to improve learning outcomes and ensure that all students have access to quality education. The use of robots in education is a new frontier that offers numerous benefits, including promoting active learning, enhancing motivation, and fostering interpersonal skills. The article concludes that the integration of educational robotics in special education can significantly enhance the learning experience for children with ASD and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.