Senza categoria Archives - RAISE Innovation Ecosystem

RAISE and START4.0: a strategic partnership to bring innovation from research to market

Posted on 3 April 20263 April 2026 by admin

Transforming research findings into technological solutions that businesses can adopt is one of the main challenges facing the Italian innovation system today. It is precisely in this context that START4.0 and RAISE have entered into a strategic partnership to bring innovation from research to the market, with the aim of guiding technologies developed through advanced research toward concrete and scalable industrial applications.
The agreement, through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Competence Center and the Innovation Ecosystem, connects two strategic tools activated through the PNRR, reinforcing a logic of integration between complementary initiatives and helping to maximize the economic impact of public investments in innovation.

From Research to Industrial Impact: Overcoming the “Valley of Death”
The goal of the collaboration is to take the wealth of technologies, devices, and prototypes generated by RAISE in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics beyond the experimental phase, transforming them into products and processes ready for the market and for large-scale use.
It is at this stage that the collaboration with START comes into play, playing a key role in supporting the advancement of the technological maturity of the solutions developed within the RAISE ecosystem and in facilitating their testing in real-world application contexts. The collaboration was established to bridge the so-called “valley of death” of innovation—that is, the critical transition between research and the market, where the potential of scientific results often risks failing to translate into concrete benefits for the production system.

An integrated value chain linking innovation ecosystems and Competence Centers
The synergy between RAISE and START4.0 serves as a concrete example of integration between innovation ecosystems and national Competence Centers, two complementary tools of the PNRR strategy for the country’s digital transformation.
RAISE acts as a generator of advanced knowledge and cutting-edge technological solutions, while START4.0 intervenes in the industrialization phase, validating technologies in realistic operational environments, verifying regulatory compliance, and supporting the nationwide deployment of technologies. In this way, a continuous supply chain is built that accompanies innovation from research through to industrial adoption, reducing the historical fragmentation between scientific production and technological commercialization.

A structured pathway to bring technologies to market
Through the collaboration between RAISE and START4.0, a structured innovation support pathway is taking shape, designed to leverage the results of research funded by the PNRR and accelerate their transfer to businesses.
Solutions developed within the RAISE ecosystem may be selected based on their application potential and supported through a progressive process of advanced development, technical validation, and regulatory compliance verification. This pathway will enhance the safety of technologies, increase their level of technological maturity, and facilitate their testing in real-world industrial settings, leading to nationwide deployment through the START4.0 Competence Center network.

A concrete lever for maximizing the impact of PNRR investments
The collaboration between START4.0 and RAISE represents a replicable model of integration among innovation-oriented industrial policy tools. Connecting initiatives launched through the PNRR effectively strengthens their overall impact, creating continuity between research, technological development, and industrial adoption.
In this context, the START4.0 and RAISE strategic collaboration for innovation—from research to market—accelerates the impact of the solutions developed, fostering the diffusion of technologies throughout production chains and boosting the competitiveness of businesses on a national scale. A virtuous link between research ecosystems and technology transfer infrastructures.

New Opportunities for Companies in the RAISE Ecosystem
This collaboration opens up concrete opportunities for partner companies in the RAISE ecosystem and for companies selected through the cascading calls for proposals funded by the PNRR, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises with high innovative potential.
Through the tools provided by START4.0, it will be possible to guide technologies developed within research projects toward subsequent phases of validation, testing, and industrial experimentation, facilitating their path to technological scale-up and market entry. This strengthens the national innovation system’s ability to transform scientific results into applicable solutions, generating economic value, competitiveness, and development for the productive sector.

RAISE to Market via START 4.0 – Tools Available to Businesses
Through the RAISE to Market via START 4.0 program, partner companies in the RAISE innovation ecosystem and firms selected through the PNRR cascade calls for proposals can access a structured support pathway toward the industrial adoption of technologies developed through advanced research in AI and robotics for businesses.
The program consists of a series of progressive tools designed to support PNRR technology transfer throughout all the phases between research and market entry.
The first phase involves selecting projects with the greatest application potential, through an assessment of the technological maturity and industrial readiness of the developed solutions. This activity is fully supported by START 4.0 and enables companies to effectively guide the path toward commercializing technologies.
Subsequently, companies can access advanced development pathways aimed at increasing the TRL of the solutions, with funding coverage of up to 50–70%, supporting the transition to real-world applications and fostering the scale-up of industrial innovation.
Another key step involves testing and validating technologies in realistic operational environments, including through the use of industrial testbeds and the Competence Center’s experimental infrastructure. In this phase, funding can cover up to 60% of costs, enabling companies to verify the performance, robustness, and replicability of their solutions.
The program also includes initiatives focused on regulatory compliance and industrial cybersecurity by design, elements that are increasingly central to technology adoption processes in critical infrastructure and advanced production systems. Here too, funding can reach up to 50%, helping to ensure solutions are ready for adoption in complex industrial settings.
Companies can then be supported in the implementation of industrial pilots—that is, application demonstrators in real-world usage contexts—which are essential for accelerating the market entry of technologies and reducing investment risk for adopting organizations. A contribution of up to 50% is also provided for this phase.
Finally, through the national network of Industry 4.0 competence centers, START 4.0, validated solutions can access dissemination and scaling pathways on an interregional and cross-sectoral scale, fostering the circulation of innovation across different production chains and expanding the impact of technologies developed within the RAISE innovation ecosystem.
Taken together, these tools represent a concrete lever to guide companies through a comprehensive process of Industry 4.0 technology validation, increasing the TRL for business innovation, and providing access to advanced experimentation opportunities, thereby helping to transform the results of PNRR-funded research into applicable and scalable solutions for the national production system.

Click here for the announcement and instructions on how to apply.

RAISE concludes its scientific and technological research initiative by showcasing, through art and culture, the synergy between scientific findings and research processes

Posted on 22 March 202622 March 2026 by admin

At the conclusion of the three-year RAISE initiative—Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment, the Ligurian innovation ecosystem—funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.5—dedicated to research in robotics and artificial intelligence—is hosting two events that bring together the performing arts, sound research, and the visual arts, transforming data, scientific findings, and research processes into a shared cultural experience. Through art, the trajectories of scientific and technological research become tangible, fostering direct engagement between the scientific community, citizens, and stakeholders.

The events are:

Wednesday, March 25 – 8:00 p.m. | Cinema Corallo
Via Innocenzo IV, 13 – Genova
Documentaries: “Il viaggio del paziente” and “Salto nel futuro”

Friday, March 27 – 8:00 p.m. | Teatro della Gioventù
Via Cesarea, 16 – Genova
Immersive artistic experiences: “In the port/listening session”, “L’utopie du corps”, “Twins” and “The Ocean without us”
Short plays: “Kintsugi”, “Another Beat”, “Specie aliena” and “La prima cosa”

On Wednesday, March 25, at 8:00 p.m., at the Cinema Corallo, RAISE presents an evening dedicated to the cinematic exploration of innovation. The public and stakeholders will attend the screening of two documentaries that will take viewers on a journey through the transformations brought about by robotics and artificial intelligence in contemporary society.

The initiative stems from a collaboration with Circuito Cinema Genova and will offer a gathering where research, culture, and citizenship intersect. The Cinema Corallo auditorium will host a narrative designed to bring the public closer to the technologies developed within the RAISE ecosystem – Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment—through the direct and engaging language of documentary film.

The evening will open with “Il viaggio del paziente,” which emerged from a dialogue among researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals involved in care pathways, and chronicles the evolution of healthcare in the age of artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital technologies. The documentary explores how diagnosis, treatments, and monitoring can be transformed through the integration of intelligent systems, digital models, and connected devices. From AI-supported early diagnosis to digital twin-assisted surgery, robotic rehabilitation, and remote monitoring, an increasingly personalized and accessible form of medicine is emerging. Through testimonials and concrete examples, the narrative highlights the value of collaboration between scientific research and clinical practice. Technology emerges as an ally in the care relationship, helping to strengthen safety, efficacy, and therapeutic continuity. What emerges is a vision in which innovation and humanity move forward together, placing the individual at the center of a more informed, connected, and sustainable healthcare system.

Next up is ““Salto nel futuro,” a documentary that takes viewers on a journey through robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D modeling from a human-centered perspective. The film focuses on the intersection of humans and technology, exploring needs, expectations, and possibilities. From the history of automatons to contemporary applications, the documentary spans artistic, social, and scientific fields, while also giving voice to children and people with disabilities. Technologies emerge as tools to make cities more inclusive, improve quality of life, and expand access to culture and places. The exploration extends to healthcare, with contributions from patients, medical staff, and researchers, and continues into environmental stewardship, covering marine monitoring, precision agriculture, and inspections of industrial sites. From cities to ports, and on to natural ecosystems, the documentary offers an integrated vision of innovation, in which technology and empathy contribute to building a more accessible, sustainable, and shared future.

“Il viaggio del paziente”: a documentary produced by RAISE – Spoke 2 | Executive production: Twister S.r.l. | Directed by: Simone Valentini | Runtime: 30 minutes
“Salto nel futuro”: a documentary produced by RAISE – Spoke 5 | Directed by: Emilio Suraci | Runtime: 101 minutes

On Friday, March 27, at 8:00 p.m., the Teatro della Gioventù will host the closing night of RAISEmotion, an artistic project born from the intersection of contemporary creativity and scientific research within the RAISE innovation ecosystem – Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment.
The project is developed under the scientific supervision of Marco Faimali, with contributions from the artistic studio Stellare, visual artists Silvia Badalotti and Giuseppe La Spada (curated by Maria Pina Usai), and the theater company La Pozzanghera (curated by Lidia Giannuzzi).

The works presented as part of RAISEmotion translate the ecosystem’s main areas of research into immersive artistic experiences.

Visitors will be able to view the artistic projects developed by Stellare (FiloQ, Ale Bavo, Raffaele Rebaudengo), alongside Giuseppe La Spada and visual artist Silvia Badalotti, curated by Maria Pina Usai. These projects emerge from direct collaboration with researchers from the RAISE ecosystem and sit at the intersection of scientific research, digital culture, and contemporary audiovisual practices. Works such as In the Port / Listening Session, L’Utopie du Corps, Twins, and The Ocean Without Us transform complex data—from port traffic to marine microplastics, urban movements, and digital twin models—into immersive sensory experiences.

Through the Ocean sonification software and the use of algorithmic systems and artificial intelligence, scientific datasets are transformed into sound and visual matter, generating ever-evolving landscapes. Sound, image, and data operate on the same plane, constructing aesthetic devices capable of making often-invisible phenomena perceptible. What emerges is a poetic and critical reflection on the relationships between humans, the environment, and technology. In this dialogue between art and science, the sensory translation of data opens new spaces of awareness and imagination, offering the audience an experience that is both cognitive and emotional.

The creative process follows a dynamic similar to that of research: listening, writing, rehearsals, revision, and the progressive construction of characters and relationships. From this work emerge four short plays written and directed by Lidia Giannuzzi and performed by Domenico Baldini, Roberta De Donatis, Francesco Maria Giacobbe, and Martina Pittaluga, with sound design by Lorenzo Marmorato.

These works are performed by the theater company La Pozzanghera, which has been active for nearly forty years and, as part of RAISEmotion, is developing a process of theatrical research that stems from direct collaboration with researchers from the RAISE ecosystem. Starting with interviews and dialogues with the scientific teams of the various Spokes, the work unfolds as a process that intertwines listening, writing, and experimentation, transforming scientific content into theatrical narrative. Like an investigation, the collected material is reworked into a dramatic form, leaving room for interpretation, imagination, and emotion. The four short plays – Kintsugi, Another Beat, Specie aliena and La prima cosa – address the themes of the inclusive city, health, the port, and the environment. On stage, words, body, and sound construct a dialogue between humans and technology, in which artificial intelligence serves as a tool to support and amplify the human experience. Theater thus becomes a space for the sensitive translation of research, capable of engaging the audience in a shared reflection on the present and the future.

Through these artistic expressions, RAISEmotion invites a collective reflection on the role of technology and artificial intelligence in contemporary society. AI emerges as a tool that complements human capabilities and opens up new avenues for imagination, creativity, and responsibility.

Admission to both events is free while seats last.

RAISE is a partner in the European GLOW-CE project for women’s entrepreneurship

Posted on 19 March 202619 March 2026 by admin

RAISE is a partner in the project “GLOW-CE: Gender-equal Leadership and Opportunities for Women”, approved and funded under the Interreg Central Europe Programme, with a total budget of €582,652.00.

The GLOW-CE project was selected under Priority 1 – “Cooperating for a smarter Central Europe”, with a specific focus on Objective SO 1.2, aimed at strengthening skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition, and entrepreneurship in Central Europe.

The partnership, led by S.T.R.I.A. – South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency (Hungary), includes, in addition to RAISE S.c.a.r.l., JAIP – South Bohemian Agency for Support to Innovation (Czech Republic) and the association Wondernature (Croatia).

The main objective of GLOW-CE is to increase the competitiveness of the partner regions by unlocking the untapped potential of women’s entrepreneurship.

To this end, the project aims to develop tools and frameworks that strengthen the capacities of both business support organisations and women, contributing to the creation of a more accessible, inclusive, and needs-oriented ecosystem at the regional level.

GLOW-CE is structured around three main dimensions:
– a gender dimension, targeting women under 35 at the early stages of their careers, who are already entrepreneurs or aspire to become one;
– a geographical dimension, which analyses the ecosystem from a regional perspective to ensure equal opportunities also for those living outside major urban centres;
– a sectoral dimension, with a particular focus on the digital and green sectors.

With a duration until 31 January 2028, the GLOW-CE project represents a significant opportunity for women entrepreneurs and the broader regional ecosystem, strengthening RAISE’s international dimension and generating concrete and lasting impacts.

RAISE projects on the innovation slopes

Posted on 12 January 202612 January 2026 by admin

From December 10 to 12, 2025, three startup projects from the RAISE program participated in SKInnovation Italy 2025, the first Italian edition of one of Europe’s most original innovation events, set against the Alpine backdrop of Madonna di Campiglio.

The event brought to Italy a format that, for over ten years, has combined entrepreneurship, technology, and informal networking, creating authentic opportunities for startups, investors, corporates, and innovators to connect.

SKInnovation stands out for its experiential approach, blending conference sessions with direct interaction, often outside traditional settings. Thematic panels, one-to-one meetings, and on-slope activities transform networking into a dynamic, participatory space, fostering high-quality exchanges and cross-sector collaborations.

Within this context, the RAISE teams presented high-tech solutions and engaged with a curated international audience.

One of the event’s most distinctive moments was the Gondola Pitch on Thursday, December 12. Presentations took place inside the cable cars, with approximately fifteen minutes to introduce projects and interact with potential investors. This informal yet intense format encouraged clarity, conciseness, and attentive dialogue.

Among the RAISE projects showcased, DANTE presented a modular ecosystem for intelligent patient monitoring. The system continuously collects data, aggregates it into customizable metrics, and delivers clear insights to doctors and caregivers. By integrating advanced motion tracking and analysis technologies, DANTE supports hospital follow-ups, preventive care, and home assistance. The team included Giulia Bodo, Lorenzo Marucchi, and Michael Mozzon.

In the field of accessibility, the LUCA project aims to develop an AI-powered avatar capable of translating into Italian Sign Language (LIS). The platform converts text and voice into signs represented by the AI avatar. This solution allows content and communication to reach deaf individuals, promoting inclusion across everyday life. The project was presented by Andrea Senacheribbe.

Evanavi, represented by Alberto Neri, showcased a navigation system for abdominal surgery that provides a dynamic, interactive 3D visualization of patient images, integrating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. This solution supports surgeons in intraoperative decisions, enhancing precision, efficiency, and the sustainability of complex procedures.

Participation in SKInnovation Italy 2025 offered the RAISE teams a valuable opportunity for visibility, engagement, and the development of strategic relationships, highlighting the impact of ecosystems that connect research, industry, and territory.

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The port as a soundscape

Posted on 15 December 202523 December 2025 by admin

On 13 December 2025, Palazzo Ducale in Genoa hosted In the Port / Listening Session, an event that brought together scientific research, artistic experimentation, and public engagement.

Free and open to all, the initiative took place in the Sala del Minor Consiglio and formed part of the RAISEmotion pathway within RAISE – Spoke 4, “Smart and Sustainable Ports”, strengthening the dialogue between technological innovation and contemporary culture.

From 3:00 pm onwards, the public began to arrive for the autonomous listening sessions. The room welcomed visitors into a space of open and informal engagement, where the port of Genoa took shape as a soundscape and a place for reflection. Curators accompanied those who wished in direct conversations about the creative process, the environmental and port data used, and the value of a research approach that intertwines art, science, and territory.

At 6:00 pm, the programme continued with a mini-conference and a shared listening moment. Davide Giglio (University of Genoa), Leader of Spoke 4, opened the session by introducing the themes of RAISE and the strategic role of smart and sustainable ports within the innovation ecosystem. His contribution offered a clear framework for RAISE’s role in applied research and interdisciplinary experimentation.

He was followed by Marco Faimali, Head of RAISE Communication and Leader of Spoke 3, who presented the RAISEmotion project, outlining its aims and development. During his talk, the audience watched a short video retracing the first RAISEmotion event, held on 29 October 2025 in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio at Palazzo Ducale as part of the Science Festival programme. The presentation highlighted the project’s ability to build bridges between the scientific community, creative practitioners, and the wider public.

The scientific dimension featured contributions by Francesca Garaventa (CNR-IAS) and Melissa Ferrini (CNR-ILC), both involved in Spoke 4. The researchers presented the projects from which the data used by Stellare were drawn for the creation of In the Port and for the immersive images based on underwater ROV footage. Their talks clarified how port traffic data published by the Port System Authority, together with data on the impact of underwater noise pollution, fed into the sound composition through the Ocean software.

During the meeting, the artists of Stellare presented their video and sound work in progress, offering the audience a close-up view of the construction process. The shared materials showed how the composition takes shape from data on goods and passenger movements in the port of Genoa collected between 2017 and 2025. The sound pathway follows the dynamics of port traffic, translating variations, intensities, and cycles into a musical structure that remains dynamic and clearly perceptible through listening.

The guided listening made the differences between historical periods audible, with particular emphasis on the transition between 2020 and 2021. In that phase, the acoustic landscape changes rhythm, density, and breath, rendering in sound the impact of the pandemic on flows, activities, and port life. The sound pathway thus becomes both a narrative and analytical tool, capable of transforming complex data series into a sensory experience that invites attentive listening and reflection.

In the Port / Listening Session, a project by Stellare – FiloQ, Ale Bavo, and Raffaele Rebaudengo, curated by Maria Pina Usai for U-BOOT Lab with scientific supervision by Francesca Garaventa, was conceived in the heart of the port of Genoa and enters into dialogue with the exhibition “Moby Dick – The Whale” at Palazzo Ducale.

The performance unfolds as a living score: movements, transits, and frictions become acoustic material, making perceptible the deep rhythm of one of the city’s most complex places. The experience invites audiences to observe the relationship between work and environment, production and quality of life, the local dimension and the global horizon, through a form of listening that is both critical and poetic.

Eco-Robotics and science in motion at Palazzo Ducale

Posted on 9 December 20259 December 2025 by admin

Spoke 3 and Spoke 4 of RAISE brought new energy to Palazzo Ducale with a morning dedicated to innovation and marine exploration. On Friday, 5 December 2025, four lower and upper secondary schools took part in the workshops “Ecorobotica: Twenty Thousand Leagues into the Future”, an initiative developed through the collaboration between RAISE, Palazzo Ducale and the Impararte educational programme, in dialogue with the exhibition Moby Dick – The Whale.

The activities took place in the “Kids in the City” area, which created a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere. Students experienced an immersive journey through science, technology and sustainability. From the very beginning, the groups met researchers who introduced the RAISE project and the potential of marine eco-robotics. They observed how new exploration tools have expanded the ability to collect precise environmental data and to present the marine world through interactive experiences.

During the first part of the workshop, the classes explored the relationship between robotics, sensing technologies and artificial intelligence, discovering how these systems support the monitoring of marine ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. Participants interacted with prototypes and applied-research solutions, gaining first-hand experience of how technology contributes to the preservation of coastal environments.

The stations curated by CNR-IAS offered particularly engaging moments. Students observed marine organisms under the microscope and experimented with AI-based early-warning systems. Another station focused on the phenomenon of biofouling, illustrating how robotics and AI contribute to its management and to the development of strategies for addressing environmental challenges at sea.

The workshop highlighted both the richness and the vulnerability of the Ligurian Sea. The activities showed how artificial intelligence enhances the analysis of the movements of very small marine organisms, such as larvae and invertebrates, which are essential for understanding water quality and the ecosystem’s overall health. The students gained new awareness of the connections between scientific research, emerging technologies and a sustainable future.

The programme expanded through the activities led by Outdoor Portofino within the Be.Ci.S Outdoor project, part of the initiative supported by RAISE Liguria for the development of integrated environmental monitoring systems. The groups tried out tools such as ENVlogger and Meteo-Tracker, sensors designed to measure key environmental parameters during outdoor activities. Kayaks, paddleboards and other watercraft turned scientific observation into a concrete experience in which technology, nature and movement worked together seamlessly.

The classes explored the system used to collect georeferenced data on air quality, weather conditions and water characteristics. The activities showed how citizen science can engage outdoor enthusiasts and how the data collected becomes accessible through intuitive applications. Students also discovered the future directions of Be.Ci.S, which aim to include new measurements such as salinity and the presence of CO₂ or SO₂ in marine environments.

The day ended with a sense of enthusiasm and curiosity. The technologies presented offered a tangible view of the future of marine exploration and protection, while the active participation of the schools enriched the ongoing dialogue between research, education and scientific citizenship.

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Technology and creativity came together at MAXXI with RAISE Beyond

Posted on 4 December 20254 December 2025 by admin

As part of the Roma Fotografia festival, co-designed with Municipio I Roma Centro, RAISE brought to MAXXI – the National Museum of 21st Century Arts – a day dedicated to technological creativity and shared vision, involving researchers, enterprises and institutions. The initiative RAISE Beyond – Research Beyond Research highlighted the experience of RAISE’s Cascade Funding calls.

The Cascade Funding calls offered a strategic tool that enabled RAISE to support entrepreneurial organisations and research groups through targeted micro-financing. This approach fostered the development of innovative projects in Liguria and across other Italian regions, extending the impact of the ecosystem and encouraging national collaborations capable of generating experimentation, prototypes and concrete applications. MAXXI thus hosted a rich overview of the ideas emerging from this expanding network.

In the Carlo Scarpa Hall, visitors and stakeholders met startups, SMEs, universities and research centres working across the four areas that shape RAISE’s programmes: culture, art and inclusion; healthcare and intelligent technologies; ecorobotics and environmental monitoring; smart and sustainable ports.

The day opened with contributions from Cristina Battaglia, Programme Manager of RAISE, and Maria Cristina Valeri of Roma Fotografia, who illustrated the ecosystem’s vision and the value of connecting technological innovation with visual languages. The audience was then introduced to RAISE the Future, an exhibition project developed for Roma Fotografia 2024 and 2025.

The initiative interprets RAISE’s identity through images co-created with artificial intelligence, a narrative experiment involving researchers and advanced generative systems. Giovanni Paolo Caruso and Patrizia Schettino (CNR) guided attendees through the exhibition and its aesthetic and conceptual horizons.

The section dedicated to the Cascade Funding calls showcased a broad range of applications developed during the programme. In the field of culture, art and inclusion, Antonella Poce (University of Rome Tor Vergata) presented ARTISTIC, a project introducing new forms of heritage education based on robotics, AI and inclusive methodologies. The initiative proposed tools designed to engage diverse audiences and broaden access to cultural heritage.

Next, Tania Di Mascio, Fabio Franchi, and Sara Peretti from the University of L’Aquila, together with Maria Cristina De Amicis and Alessio Gabriele from the “A. Casella” Conservatory, presented ARTECOM, a project focused on creating digital installations that enhance the experience of urban heritage. The initiative demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary collaboration among technology, music and the visual arts.

In the healthcare and intelligent technologies segment, Carmine Dodaro (University of Calabria) illustrated GOLD, a platform introducing declarative AI, digital twins and advanced data analytics to optimise hospital resource management. The project offered innovative operational models to support complex processes and improve hospital organisation.

The ecorobotics and environmental monitoring area provided an in-depth look at solutions designed for ecosystem protection. Giorgio Budillon (University of Naples Parthenope) presented IAMM, an integrated system for marine monitoring developed with the University of Salento. The platform combines sensing technologies, adaptive models and field observations to analyse coastal dynamics.

Afterwards, Michele Boella, CEO & Founder of NeMeA, presented EcoMonitoring+, an initiative introducing advanced tools for coastal and lake monitoring through the collaboration of NeMeA Sistemi, Hedya and Aisma. The project offered new possibilities in environmental analysis through modular technologies and integrated observation systems.

The environmental section concluded with Cosimo Palmisano (Wsense), who presented WMISSION, a technology that coordinates networks of underwater robots through wireless communication systems. Developed with Arena Sub, the project opened new perspectives for scientific and industrial operations in complex marine environments.

The programme concluded with a focus on smart and sustainable ports. Francesco Rebora and Ginevra Roggero (Exis) presented Be-Twin, a platform for real-time port digital twins developed in collaboration with Spindox, Swhard, T&G Technology & Groupware and On Air. The initiative showed how artificial intelligence can support urban planning, mobility and the management of coastal infrastructure.

The event offered a valuable opportunity to explore innovation emerging at the intersection of scientific research, industrial applications and creativity. Each project presented a different way of interpreting technology and turning it into a tool capable of generating value for people, territories and communities.

Smart Bay Santa Teresa: innovation and sustainability in the sea of Lerici

Posted on 1 December 20251 December 2025 by admin

On November 27, at the Eastern Ligurian Sea Port Authority in La Spezia, the conference “Smart Bay Santa Teresa: Innovation and Sustainability in the Sea of Lerici” was held.

The event – dedicated to promoting the sea as a resource for knowledge, development, and protection – was organized by ENEA in collaboration with the Eastern Ligurian Sea Port System Authority, the University of Genoa, RAISE Spoke 4, and with the technical support of ISIG.

The presentation of the Smart Bay of Santa Teresa offered an opportunity for discussion and dialogue on the results achieved and future perspectives.

Thanks to the collaboration among CNR, INGV, ENEA, and local institutions within the RAISE ecosystem, a fully fledged technological infrastructure has been created—open to national scientific communities and businesses for innovative experiments aimed at protecting and enhancing the natural capital of the gulf, as well as applying and implementing strategies for the sustainable use of the sea.

The Smart Bay of Santa Teresa applies advanced technologies developed by RAISE to support the enhancement and use of marine ecosystems within climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The future of the Smart Bay must focus on its consolidation as a true living lab serving researchers and local communities, ensuring access for experimentation, training, and scientific dissemination.

The convergence of commitment and expertise, along with the coordination carried out within RAISE’s SPOKEs 3 and 4 by the many actors involved in the Smart Bay’s activities, is enabling immediate work on its development and strengthening at both national and international levels.

The conference effectively highlighted the full potential of the Smart Bay, and the many speakers (researchers, Navy personnel, local institutions, and businesses) emphasized the uniqueness of this initiative and the importance of continuing along the chosen path.

The Smart Bay is an example of how, thanks to NRRP investments, it is possible to generate value and social and economic impact while prioritizing sustainability and the protection and enhancement of the territory.

The conference featured contributions from Cristina Battaglia, RAISE Programme Manager, and Davide Giglio, Leader of Spoke 4, who underscored RAISE’s role in the project and the synergies created between scientific research, emerging technologies, and territorial governance.

Ease VR and AquaSense shine at SMARTcup Liguria

Posted on 15 November 202519 November 2025 by admin

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Genoa hosted the final of SMARTcup Liguria 2025, the competition that celebrates entrepreneurial ideas and innovative projects promoted by Regione Liguria and managed by FILSE S.p.A., in collaboration with the University of Genoa and PNICube. The event transformed the BIC – Business Incubator into a vibrant hub of talent, creativity, and forward-looking vision.

Among the 51 competing projects, two teams – Ease VR and AquaSense – both from the RAISE Up mentorship program under Spoke 5 of RAISE, earned a spot among the top ten finalists. They stood out for their technical excellence, innovative strength, and ability to clearly convey the value of their ideas.

Ease VR also won over the audience, taking home the “Marco Paganuzzi” Public Award thanks to a captivating presentation that demonstrated how virtual reality can turn science into an engaging, interactive experience.

The competition once again showcased the dynamism of the Ligurian innovation ecosystem, capable of fostering new enterprises and supporting the growth of young innovators. During the final event, the eight selected projects took the stage before more than 200 spectators for an elevator pitch session — a concise and impactful presentation format designed to communicate the projects’ potential to investors and partners. The finalists included both established startups and experimental prototypes ready to enter the market.

A key addition to this year’s edition was the SMARTcup Academy, a traveling training program that reached all four Ligurian provinces. Through webinars, workshops, and mentorship sessions, aspiring entrepreneurs gained practical tools to craft effective business plans and sharpen their pitching skills, strengthening the link between research, innovation, and market application.

The initiative was supported by 76 partners – including companies, universities, incubators, trade associations, and local institutions – that collaborated with FILSE in promoting and developing the event. IREN confirmed its role as Main Partner, while Nova Connect, as Media Partner, contributed to content dissemination and awarded a special prize. Liguria Digitale also played a key role in highlighting the most significant moments of the day and showcasing participants’ work.

The SMARTcup final turned the BIC into a space where ideas take shape and creativity becomes action. The Ease VR and AquaSense teams perfectly embodied the spirit of RAISE, showing how mentorship, training, and networking can transform an idea into tangible results.

RAISE at the 2025 Genoa Science Festival

Posted on 14 November 202514 November 2025 by admin

For the third consecutive year, the 2025 Genoa Science Festival hosted the innovation ecosystem RAISE – Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment, which transformed the Genoa Blue District into its RAISE Village – a meeting point between science, technology, and creativity.

With over 3,000 participants in workshops, 500 visitors to the eight robotic and technological demos, 300 attendees at the five scientific aperitifs, 90 participants at the opening conference, 2,000 visitors to the immersive installation, and 300 spectators at the RAISEmotion performance, RAISE’s presence at the Festival reflected a growing public interest in applied research and its social impact.

The project, conceived and coordinated by the University of Genoa, the National Research Council (CNR), and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), and funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research under Investment 1.5 (M4C2) of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), presented a wide-ranging programme built around a clear idea: to show how robotics and artificial intelligence can become tools to improve people’s lives, support environmental sustainability, and strengthen social cohesion.

RAISE’s journey at the Festival opened in the Sala delle Donne at Palazzo Ducale with the conference “The RAISE Ecosystem and the Visions of Tomorrow – Emerging Technologies and Shared Knowledge to Improve the Present and Imagine the Future”, attended by 90 participants from the general public and the research community.

Introduced by Cristina Battaglia, RAISE Programme Manager, and Carlo Ferdeghini, Chair of the Genoa Science Festival Scientific Committee, the event featured Silvia Biasotti (CNR–IMATI, Spoke 1), Giulia Bodo (IIT – Rehab Technologies, Spoke 2), Elisa Costa (CNR–IAS, Spoke 3), Francesca Garaventa (CNR–IAS, Spoke 4), and Simona Tirasso (University of Genoa, Spoke 5), moderated by journalist Daniele Chieffi.

The speakers shared the challenges and results of the five Spokes that make up the RAISE ecosystem: from robotics for healthcare and rehabilitation to marine environmental protection, from port digitalisation to public administration training. This mosaic of expertise demonstrated how innovation can generate real impact, enhancing quality of life and territorial sustainability. The round table provided a concrete perspective on research prospects and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among public institutions, universities, companies, and citizens.

On 29 October, the RAISEmotion performance brought together art, science, and technology in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio of Palazzo Ducale, in front of 300 spectators, blending emotion and knowledge into a single experience.

The event, introduced by Cristina Battaglia and presented by Marco Faimali (CNR–IAS, Communication Lead for Spoke 5), featured two complementary performances.

Another Beat, created by Lidia Giannuzzi and the company La Pozzanghera, explored the theme of the digital twin and human–machine interaction, turning the heartbeat into a symbol of dialogue between the human body and technology.

The Ocean Without Us, conceived by the collective Stellare in collaboration with artist Giuseppe La Spada, gave voice to the ocean, translating data on microplastics in the Ligurian Sea into sound frequencies and moving images.

On stage and behind the scenes, RAISE researchers – including Michela Chiappalone, Veronica Penza, and Francesca Garaventa – merged scientific expertise with artistic sensibility, showing how knowledge can be transformed into visual, sonic, and theatrical storytelling.

RAISEmotion captured the true essence of the ecosystem: a project where technology does not replace humanity but accompanies it, amplifying its capacity to understand, create, and share.

At the heart of the Genoa Blue District, the RAISE Village became a ten-day open laboratory, animated by a diverse audience of students, families, and curious visitors of all ages.

Over 3,000 people took part in six interactive workshops showcasing results from the five RAISE Spokes.

In the RAISE Living Lab, visitors explored wearable systems for inclusive mobility and immersive headsets for accessible learning. The HealthTech Lab presented smart glasses and sensor-equipped chairs for the healthcare of the future. With A New Ally for Marine Ecosystems, participants virtually dived into the Ligurian Sea, discovering how AI helps study the behaviour of small marine organisms. Science at Your Fingertips, curated by Outdoor Portofino, introduced Meteo-Tracker sensors that enable citizens to contribute to environmental data collection. Beyond the Body, Into the Future, curated by the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, demonstrated how virtual reality can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Finally, with Digital Twins in Action, visitors discovered how robotics and AI support post-stroke rehabilitation through personalised digital models.

From 31 October to 2 November, over 500 visitors joined RAISE Action, three days entirely dedicated to robotic and technological demonstrations. Researchers and companies presented eight real-world applications, making tangible the outcomes of collaboration between academia and industry.

Among them, the FitFES system developed by FDG (Spoke 2) showcased how electrical stimulation can support motor recovery, while the R1 collaborative robot from IIT HSP (Spoke 2) demonstrated its ability to interact with people and objects, recognising gestures and movements. The ROSSINI Project (INFN, Spoke 4) presented a robot designed for remote inspections in nuclear safety contexts, while ESAOTE (Spoke 2) displayed its 3D Markerless MR/CT and US Image Registration system, integrating medical imaging and AI for advanced diagnostics. Innovation for the city and territory was also featured: ETT (Spoke 1) presented the Geolocated Data Visualization Portal, the Track Urban Accessibility (TUA) app, and Tactile Art, combining urban accessibility with sensory interaction. ETT (Spoke 3) also showcased the Digital Twin of the Sea, a 3D representation of the marine environment for sustainable resource management, while Aitek (Spoke 4) illustrated Port Gate Automation for smart logistics. Finally, the Circle Group (Spoke 4) presented technologies and services to optimise port logistics and reduce environmental impact.

Through these demonstrations, RAISE Action concluded the Village’s activities with strong public engagement, turning the Blue District into a shared space where scientific research became direct experience, accessible knowledge, and open dialogue between technology and society.

Each evening at sunset, the RAISE Village hosted over 300 people across five Scientific Aperitifs – informal yet thought-provoking conversations about ethics, technology, and the future.

Speakers included Antonio Sgorbissa (“Bring Out the Real Robots!”), Annalisa Barla (“The Ethical Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence”), Maura Casadio and Matteo Moro (“The Language of Human Movement”), Rosanna Turrisi (“Artificial Intelligence as an Ally of Medicine”), and Marco Faimali (“Welcome, Eco-Robotics!”). These encounters combined curiosity and reflection, showing the most accessible and human side of science.

The RAISE Village also hosted the immersive installation RAISE More than Human, which welcomed around 2,000 visitors into an experience merging art, research, and technology. The installation guided visitors through the RAISE ecosystem via robots, drones, sensors, 3D models, video games, and digital platforms. Images, sounds, and stories revealed the connections between artificial intelligence, natural ecosystems, and human communities, showing how scientific research can drive innovation and well-being.

With more than 6,000 participants across exhibitions, workshops, demos, performances, and meetings, RAISE’s participation in the 2025 Genoa Science Festival was a shared journey of growth.

The ecosystem demonstrated how collaboration among disciplines, institutions, and territories can generate concrete, accessible innovation. The RAISE Village offered an immersive and inclusive experience where science dialogued with art, technology, and society.

RAISE told the story of the future not as a distant horizon, but as a collective construction built on research, participation, and trust in human potential.