From 4 to 7 November 2025, the Rimini Expo Centre hosted the 28th edition of Ecomondo – The Green Technology Expo, Europe’s leading event dedicated to ecological transition and the circular economy.
Within this setting, RAISE presented VERO, a robot developed within the Ecosystem’s Spoke 3, which captured the attention of visitors and professionals thanks to its innovative capabilities and its vision of a future where technology supports both people and the environment.
VERO (Vacuum-cleaner Equipped RObot) was developed by the Dynamic Legged Systems (DLS) group at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), coordinated by Claudio Semini. Angelo Bratta and Gabriel Fischer Abati representing RAISE Spoke 3, introduced this cutting-edge robotic system to the public and industry experts. The project embodies years of research and experimentation in mobile robotics and artificial intelligence.
Designed to collaborate with humans in waste collection and removal, VERO combines agility, autonomy, and perceptual intelligence. Its dynamic structure and adaptability to diverse operational contexts make it a valuable ally for cleaning tasks in complex, urban, and natural environments. By integrating advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms, the robot can recognize objects and obstacles, plan efficient paths, and interact safely with human operators.
Throughout the Ecomondo exhibition, VERO demonstrated the potential of robotics for environmental sustainability, showing how the synergy between artificial intelligence and bio-inspired design can lead to more efficient waste management and contribute to the protection of natural ecosystems. The project is part of the activities carried out by RAISE Spoke 3, dedicated to the development of robots that promote environmental care and social well-being, and reflects the broader philosophy of the RAISE Ecosystem: combining scientific excellence, technological transfer, and a tangible positive impact on society.
Angelo Bratta highlighted how RAISE’s approach encourages the creation of collaborative and responsible technologies, capable of addressing the challenges of ecological transition through concrete and measurable results. Participation in Ecomondo provided an opportunity to share achievements, foster dialogue, and strengthen connections between research, industry, and institutions, in a setting that continues to represent an international benchmark for the green economy and sustainable innovation.
With more than twenty-eight years of history, Ecomondo has confirmed its role as a laboratory of ideas and a meeting point for disciplines, experiences, and visions. The 2025 edition has consolidated Italy’s position as a strategic hub for environmental innovation in Europe, bringing together companies, start-ups, researchers, and policymakers to explore solutions that align progress with responsibility.
In this context, the presence of VERO offered a tangible example of how robotics can serve as a catalyst for the circular economy, transforming technology into a tool for environmental care and planetary regeneration.
