Employment of DarumaTO-4W Buddhist Talisman Device as an Exhibit in Italy

The development of socially assistive robots is an emerging field aimed at addressing the challenges of aging populations. DarumaTO, a culturally grounded robotic companion inspired by the Japanese Daruma doll, was developed within the e-ViTA initiative to foster engagement, reduce loneliness, and provide a familiar, interactive experience for older adults. DarumaTO was exhibited in Italy, where 148 participants provided structured feedback. Participant's feedback was supplemented with non-intrusive participant observation. It is the first time that this Buddhist talisman device gets tested in a Western country. The findings highlight the cultural impact on robot perception, demonstrating that religious and cultural background influences how a robot may be recontextualised within the process of technological adoption.