Marilena Vendittelli is a Professor at Sapienza University of Rome, affiliated with the Robotics group. Her research spans control systems, biomedical robotics, motion planning, and autonomous systems. Research Areas: Control systems for robotics and nonholonomic systems Biomedical applications (hyperthermia therapy, needle insertion) UAV navigation and obstacle avoidance Haptics and human-robot interaction Adaptive estimation algorithms Recent Publications focus on adaptive control of bio-heat equations, safe UAV motion planning, soft robotics actuation, and haptic feedback in medical procedures.
Gian Pietro Picco is a Full Professor at the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI) at the University of Trento, Italy. His research focuses on wireless networks, particularly ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, wireless sensor networks, and cyber-physical systems. He teaches courses including Distributed Systems, Low-power wireless networking for the Internet of Things, and Programming 2. Professor Picco's research interests span several interconnected domains in pervasive computing and networking: Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for precise localization and communication Wireless sensor networks and Internet of Things (IoT) systems Cyber-physical systems and networked control Energy-efficient networking protocols Distributed systems and middleware Software engineering approaches for networked embedded systems His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on ultra-wideband technology applications, particularly in localization, ranging, and concurrent transmissions. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, often addressing real-world challenges in human-robot interaction, contact tracing, and infrastructure monitoring. A notable trend is the increasing application of UWB technology for precise positioning in complex environments, with significant contributions to understanding and mitigating human occlusion effects on ranging accuracy. Professor Picco has received numerous prestigious awards for his research contributions: Best Paper Award at IPSN'23 for "Network On or Off? Instant Global Binary Decisions over UWB with Flick" Best Paper Award at IPIN 2019 for "TALLA: Large-scale TDoA Localization with Ultra-wideband Radios" Best Paper Award at EWSN 2018 for "Concurrent Ranging in Ultra-wideband Radios" Best Paper Award at IPSN 2015 for "Geo-referenced Proximity Detection of Wildlife" Best Paper Award at IPSN 2011 for "Wireless Sensor Networks for Adaptive Lighting in Road Tunnels" Best Paper Award at IPSN 2009 for "Monitoring Heritage Buildings with Wireless Sensor Networks" Mark Weiser Best Paper Award at PerCom 2012 Professor Picco actively advises numerous PhD and Master's students, with several of his advisees becoming prominent researchers in wireless networking. His laboratory has secured significant funding for research projects in wireless sensor networks, IoT systems, and cyber-physical systems. His work has practical applications in heritage building monitoring, wildlife tracking, road tunnel lighting systems, and pandemic contact tracing. His research group maintains the Cloves large-scale ultra-wideband testbed and has developed several middleware systems for wireless sensor networks, including Lime and TeenyLIME. The group collaborates extensively with international research institutions and has made significant contributions to standardization efforts in IoT networking protocols.
Luca Schenato is a Full Professor in the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Padova. His research focuses on distributed control systems, federated learning, multi-agent optimization, and wireless communication protocols. He has extensive experience in developing algorithms for cyber-physical systems, with applications in robotics, smart grids, and sensor networks. Education and Appointments section lists his academic journey but lacks explicit details. He has held positions related to control systems and information engineering throughout his career. Research interests include: Design of resilient wireless control systems Federated learning architectures for edge computing Distributed optimization under communication constraints Robotics and multi-agent coordination Smart energy management systems His recent publications (2021–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on: Over-the-air federated learning innovations High-speed wireless control systems (e.g., 1 kHz Wi-Fi control) Resilient distributed optimization algorithms Human-centric building automation He has contributed to numerous projects related to networked control systems and has organized conferences like ECC13. His work emphasizes bridging theoretical control principles with practical industrial applications.
Carlo Alberto Avizzano serves as Associate Professor in Robotics and Automation at the University of Pisa's School of Engineering, Department of Information Engineering. He coordinates the Department of Excellence in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence (MUR) and leads the Intelligent Automation System Research Group. Research spans robotics, human-robot interaction, computer vision, and control systems Specializes in creating intelligent automation systems with cognitive capabilities Integrates AI, machine learning, and mechatronics for robust autonomous systems His research focuses on developing robots that learn from human examples, adapt to changing environments, and interact through advanced perception systems. Current work emphasizes wearable robotics, UAVs, and industrial automation solutions with applications in medical rehabilitation, firefighting, and manufacturing. He employs distributed computing architectures integrating sensors, real-time control, and knowledge transfer algorithms. Publications reveal strong emphasis on practical implementations: 15 recent works cover exoskeleton design (2024), UAV firefighting systems (2024), industrial bin-picking datasets (2024), and haptic interfaces (2012-2023). Key trends show progression from virtual reality systems (2006-2008) toward modern AI-integrated robotics with industrial and medical applications. Teaching responsibilities include PhD courses in Sensors for Construction, Python Programming for HealthScience, and Digital Perception; plus undergraduate Mechatronics and Computer Vision labs. He serves on PhD boards for Emerging Digital Technologies and Health Science Technology. Extensive patent portfolio including haptic interfaces (2012), sailing simulators (2006), and UAV systems (2024) Research directly translated to commercial products and spin-off companies
Baldassarre D'Elia is a Researcher affiliated with the Department of Bioengineering at University of Roma Tre, associated with BioLab³. He holds a MSc in Electrical Engineering (1992) and PhD from Sapienza University of Rome (1996), followed by postdoctoral research there (2000). Since 2010, he has been involved in the Bioengineering Doctoral School at Roma Tre. His research focuses on neuroengineering applications in rehabilitation, particularly using haptic systems to aid post-stroke and Parkinson's patients. He explores movement regularity metrics in elderly populations through haptic feedback analysis. Education: MSc (Electrical Engineering, Sapienza 1992), PhD (Sapienza 1996), Postdoc (Sapienza 2000), current involvement in Roma Tre's Bioengineering Doctoral School. Research emphasizes haptic platforms for motor learning, quantifying movement parameters using kinematic data. His work bridges clinical needs with engineering solutions, addressing both neurological disorders and geriatric rehabilitation challenges. Publications (2012–2016) highlight studies on haptic feedback efficacy, comparison of visual/haptic modalities, and development of analytical frameworks for rehabilitation metrics. No awards explicitly mentioned but active in international conferences (ECCE, ICNR, Mediterranean Conferences). Associated with BioLab³, focusing on interdisciplinary projects combining neuroengineering and clinical applications. No formal advising role documented in provided texts.
Andrea Botta serves as a Fixed-term Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) at the Polytechnic University of Turin. He is an invited member of both the College of Electrical and Energy Engineering and the College of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Automotive Engineering. His academic career spans teaching Mechanics of Automatic Machines across multiple degree programs including Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering since the 2020/21 academic year. Botta's research focuses on Applied Mechanics and Robotics, with particular expertise in articulated robots, mobile manipulators, precision agriculture systems, and rehabilitation robotics devices. His work bridges theoretical mechanics with practical applications in agricultural automation and assistive technologies, addressing challenges in mobility platforms, mechanism design, and human-robot interaction. His research directly contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals including Zero Hunger, Good Health, Clean Energy, and Climate Action. His publication record shows consistent output with significant contributions in 2023-2025, demonstrating expertise across both agricultural and medical robotics domains. Recent work reveals a strong trend toward practical implementations of robotic systems for greenhouse agriculture, rehabilitation assistance, and hospital service applications, with notable emphasis on control strategies, kinematic modeling, and user-centered design. Scientific Recognition: Best Paper Award of Jc-IFToMM International Symposium (2022) Botta actively supervises doctoral research, currently guiding Francesco Amodio in the 40th cycle of the Mechanical Engineering PhD program. He participates in competitive research projects including PAL-HAND (Pneumatic And Lightweight Handheld Device) and TWIN-IT-ROMANS (Twinning IZTECH in Robotics Manufacturing Systems), with funding from European Union initiatives including EIT and Horizon Europe Widening Participation programs. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across mechanical engineering, control systems, and application-specific domains. As a member of the Automation and Robotics research group within DIMEAS, Botta contributes to developing innovative robotic solutions with practical implementations in precision agriculture through projects like AGRIMARO.Q and rehabilitation technology through wearable assistive devices like WELiBot.
Ada Fort is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Siena, Italy. Her research focuses on advanced sensor systems, including environmental monitoring, biomedical instrumentation, and IoT applications. She holds a Laurea in Electronic Engineering (1989) and a Ph.D. in Nondestructive Testing (1992) from the University of Florence. Key research areas include wearable sensors for air quality monitoring, magnetic detection of contaminants, and QCM-based biosensors. Her work integrates machine learning for signal processing and fault detection in industrial and environmental systems. Notable projects involve self-sufficient IoT nodes powered by solar energy and low-cost sensor networks for agriculture and healthcare. Publications highlight innovations in sensor design, data imputation for environmental monitoring, and entropy-based security systems. Her contributions span interdisciplinary fields, linking engineering principles with applications in healthcare, agriculture, and climate science.
Lucia Seminara serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Naval, Electrical, Electronic, and Telecommunications Engineering (DITEN) at the University of Genoa's Polytechnic School. She teaches Electronic Devices, Sensors, and Sensing Systems for Master's programs in Electronic Engineering and Engineering for Natural Risk Management, while also contributing to Philosophy of Medicine for Philosophical Methodologies. As a member of the Joint Teacher-Student Commission, she bridges academic governance with pedagogical innovation in engineering education. Her research pioneers tactile sensing systems using piezoelectric polymers (PVDF) and electronic skin for robotics and prosthetics. She investigates indentation mechanics on soft electronic skin, grasping speed sensitivity, and hierarchical sensorimotor control frameworks for human-in-the-loop robotic hands. Key innovations include machine learning-based contact force estimation and electrotactile feedback systems that restore natural touch perception in prosthetic devices, addressing critical gaps in sensory substitution technology. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals escalating integration of machine learning with tactile sensing, particularly in symmetry detection for efficient haptic exploration and transdisciplinary human-in-the-loop applications. Recent work emphasizes real-world implementations like post-stroke rehabilitation systems and high-bandwidth human-machine interfaces, demonstrating a strategic shift from foundational sensor development toward clinically viable solutions with measurable user impact. Dr. Seminara's research lineage includes significant contributions to the Roboskin project (2013), which established large-area tactile sensor arrays for robotics. Her current work extends this foundation through investigations into viscoelastic properties, stress transmission modeling, and AI-driven tactile perception, positioning her at the forefront of intelligent electronic skin development with active collaborations across engineering, neuroscience, and clinical rehabilitation domains.
Mario Selvaggio is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Naples Federico II. He actively contributes to robotics research through his involvement with PRISMA Lab and ICAROS , while co-founding spinoff companies BeyondShape and Herobots . His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (2020) under Prof. Bruno Siciliano, with previous degrees in Mechanical Engineering (2013, 2015). Ph.D. in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (2020) Bachelor's and Master's in Mechanical Engineering (2013, 2015) His research interests focus on shared control/autonomy, robot teleoperation, passivity-based control, soft robotics, and robotic surgery. He has developed innovative solutions including: Shared-control teleoperation for soft growing robots Non-prehensile object transportation frameworks Advanced modeling of cable-suspended dual-arm systems Medical robotics with force-sensor equipped tools Virtual reality-based teleoperation architectures Recent publications (2021-2025) span topics from semi-autonomous aerial manipulation to cyber-physical measurement systems, with emphasis on human-robot interaction and industrial applications. He serves as Associate Editor for several IEEE conferences and journals. Scientific Awards IEEE RAS Technical Committee on Haptics grant ($2500, 2018) Second prize at Bioengineering Congress (2018) Finalist for 'Fabrizio Flacco' Best Paper Award (2020) Prof. Selvaggio teaches the Master's Course in Automation Engineering and Robotics (2024/2025) using Robot Operating System (ROS) curriculum. He actively collaborates with international research groups at IRISA/INRIA Rennes , Rainbow team , and University of California Santa Barbara (mechanical engineering department). His research combines theoretical advancements with practical implementations, demonstrated through extensive validation in simulated environments and real robotic platforms including KUKA LWR IIWA manipulators, dVRK systems, and humanoid platforms.
Calogero Maria Oddo is an Associate Professor at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, affiliated with the BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. He leads the Neuro-Robotic Touch Laboratory, coordinating a team of 25+ researchers. His work bridges neuroscience and engineering, focusing on tactile sensing, neuroprosthetics, and biomedical robotics. He holds a national qualification as Full Professor of Bioengineering and serves in academic governance roles, including Vice-Coordinator of the BioRobotics PhD program and President of the University Committee for Equal Opportunities. His research has been featured in top journals like Nature Machine Intelligence and recognized by prestigious awards such as the Feltrinelli Prize under 40 (2023). Education BSc in Electronic Engineering (University of Pisa, 2005, 1st in cohort) MSc in Electronic Engineering (University of Pisa, 2007, Excellence Track) PhD in Innovative Technologies (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 2011) Graduate of Sant’Anna Honours College (2008, 2006) Research Interests His lab develops tactile sensors inspired by human neurophysiology, with applications in bionic prostheses, robotic surgery, and healthcare. Key areas include neuromorphic engineering, mechanotransduction, and sensory feedback systems. Collaborations span institutions like the National Research Council, University of Pisa, and international partners such as École Normale Supérieure. Grants & Awards Coordinator of €10M+ in research funding from EU, Italian ministries, and private foundations Contributions to technology transfer via RoboIT and the ARTES 4.0 Competence Center Labs & Teams Leads the Neuro-Robotic Touch Lab and collaborates with the N2Lab (National Research Council), focusing on clinical translation of tactile technologies.
Tommaso Proietti serves as Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, leading the Soft NeuroBionics Lab within the Bioelectronics and Bioengineering Area of the Biorobotics Institute. His career spans industrial engineering at General Motors, postdoctoral research at Harvard Biodesign Lab, and prior affiliations with Northwestern University and Sorbonne University. His academic credentials include: B.S. in Control Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome (2010) M.S. in Control Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome (2013) Ph.D. in Robotics Engineering, Sorbonne University (2017) Proietti's research pioneers soft wearable robotics for rehabilitation and human augmentation, with core expertise in physical human-robot interaction , biomechanics , and adaptive control systems . His lab develops inflatable exosuits and sensor technologies targeting upper-limb mobility restoration for stroke survivors, spinal cord injury patients, and industrial workers. Recent work emphasizes clinical validation of wearable systems in real-world environments while optimizing comfort and natural movement. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) clinical assessment tools using wearable sensors for neurological rehabilitation, (2) pneumatic soft exosuits for industrial and medical applications, and (3) fundamental advances in human-robot interaction frameworks. His work increasingly bridges engineering innovation with tele-rehabilitation implementation, particularly for stroke recovery and ALS management. Scientific recognition: No awards documented in source materials Academic contributions: No student advising information provided No research grant details disclosed The Soft NeuroBionics Lab under Proietti's direction focuses on creating ultralightweight, textile-integrated robotic systems that provide targeted assistance without restricting natural movement. Current projects include shoulder exosuits for industrial fatigue reduction and pronosupination aids for spinal cord injury, with strong industry-clinical partnerships driving real-world deployment.
Carlo Masone is a Fixed-term Researcher at the Department of Control and Computer Science (DAUIN), Politecnico di Torino, affiliated with the College of Electronic, Telecommunications, and Physics Engineering. He is also an invited member of the College of Management and Production Engineering and the College of Mathematical Engineering, reflecting his interdisciplinary contributions. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, and robotics, with significant work in visual place recognition, federated learning, and geospatial AI. His research interests span Artificial Intelligence , Machine Learning , Computer Vision , Robotics , Visual Place Recognition , Federated Learning , Open-Set Segmentation , and Geospatial AI . He has developed methods for uncertainty quantification in ML models for autonomous vehicles and contributed to digital heritage through the MAPP project. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in visual place recognition (e.g., EigenPlaces, MeshVPR), geolocalization of astronaut photography (Earthloc, EarthMatch), and robust segmentation (Mask2Anomaly). There is a clear emphasis on leveraging pre-trained features, federated learning for privacy-preserving recognition, and topological methods in vision. His work bridges robotics, AI, and real-world applications in autonomous systems and cultural heritage. Scientific Awards: Outstanding Reviewer at CVPR (2022, 2023, 2024) IROS JTCF Novel Technology Paper Award (2016) Best Paper Award Finalist at IEEE ICIA (2016) ELLIS Fellow (2024–) He advises PhD students in Artificial Intelligence and Computer and Systems Engineering and leads commercial research projects such as Quantifying Uncertainties in ML Models for Driver-Assisted and Autonomous Vehicles and MAPP - Phygital and Participatory Alpine Museums . He has previously collaborated with the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (2014–2017). He teaches courses including Machine Learning for Mathematical Engineering , Robot Learning , and GeoAI , and contributes to programming and data science curricula. He is also a co-inventor on a patent for automated neural network design.
Radoslaw Niewiadomski is a Researcher at the Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS) within the Polytechnic School of the University of Genoa, Italy. He teaches Affective Computing for the Master's Degree Program in Digital Humanities - Interactive Systems and Digital Media and Fundamentals of Computer Science for the Bachelor's Degree Course in Computer Engineering. His research spans Affective Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, and Social Robotics, with specific focus on nonverbal communication, embodied interaction, sonification techniques, and facial expression recognition. He employs machine learning and computer vision to develop systems that interpret human affect and social behavior in collaborative contexts, often integrating psychology and engineering principles for socially embodied applications. Analysis of his 2024 publications reveals strong interdisciplinary trends bridging robotics, emotion recognition, and human-centered design. Key research threads include social robotics applications for dining companionship and full-body improvisation, technical innovations in unsupervised learning for vitality forms, and dataset development for expression intensity analysis. His work consistently addresses real-world social interaction challenges through multimodal sensing and interactive system design. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided documentation. No information regarding student advising relationships or research grant funding was provided in the source materials.
Daniele Leonardis serves as Associate Professor of Applied Mechanics at the Institute of Mechanical Intelligence (IIM) of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa since October 2025. His research centers on wearable haptic interfaces and hand exoskeletons for clinical neurorehabilitation, virtual reality, and teleoperation applications. His primary research domains include: Development of miniaturized actuators for high-fidelity haptic rendering in wearable devices Clinical neurorehabilitation using serious games for children with Cerebral Palsy Integration of tactile feedback in teleoperation systems for complex manipulation tasks Soft exoskeletal devices for movement assistance in spinal/neurological patients Industrial robotics for railway infrastructure inspection Leonardis leads significant research initiatives: Coordinator and scientific director of the completed TELOS project (2024) for VR-based cerebral palsy rehabilitation Scientific director for SSSA in the European SUN project on augmented reality and haptic feedback Director of the SmartNest third-party research project Collaborator in TATTO, LEARN, and AVATAR projects Supervisor for RFI's mobile railway inspection system design His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate concentrated advancements in teleoperation interfaces, soft exoskeleton validation, and novel actuation methods for tactile feedback, with strong clinical and industrial validation components. He actively disseminates research through editorial roles in leading robotics journals and public demonstrations at international conferences. As founding partner of Next-Generation-Robotics spin-off, Leonardis bridges academic research and commercial applications in railway inspection robotics, reflecting his commitment to translational impact.
Roberto Oboe is an Associate Professor at the University of Padova's Department of Management Engineering. His research focuses on advanced motion control systems, mechatronics, and robotics, with notable contributions to remote handling systems for nuclear facilities, admittance control methodologies, and sensor technology integration in industrial and aerospace applications. He has led projects involving SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) facility automation, haptic feedback systems, and UAV localization. His technical work spans multiple disciplines including robotic control, nuclear engineering safety protocols, and sensor-based anomaly detection. Key projects include the development of intelligent remote handling systems for radioactive materials and the optimization of bilateral teleoperation systems. He actively contributes to IEEE editorial boards and serves as a Ph.D. examiner. Research highlights include: Admittance control frameworks for high-stiffness robotic interactions Pioneering work on MEMS-based mirror control systems Development of semi-quantitative risk assessment methodologies Advancements in indoor UAV navigation systems Publications emphasize practical applications with over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2016, covering topics from neuronal avalanche analysis to industrial servopositioner improvements.
