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Liguria Region’s program for Expo 2025 Osaka presented: spotlight on innovation with the RAISE ecosystem

Posted on 20 June 202520 June 2025 by admin

The official presentation of the Liguria Region’s program for its dedicated week at the Universal Exposition in Osaka, Japan- scheduled from June 29 to July 5 – took place on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Sala Trasparenza in Genoa.

The event was attended by Toshiaki Kobayashi, Consul General of Japan in Milan, further underscoring the importance of institutional and cultural ties between Liguria and Japan.

The theme guiding Liguria’s participation at the Expo will be “Ligurian artist of living”, a concept designed to highlight the Ligurian ability to transform beauty, tradition, and culture into opportunities for work, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while maintaining a balance with the natural environment. The narrative intends to focus on people and their skills, showcasing the value of craftsmanship, quality of life, and harmonious coexistence with a land that is both complex and rich in potential.

During the press conference, the presence of the RAISE ecosystem was also outlined – a Ligurian initiative dedicated to research and the development of innovative technological solutions in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence. As part of Liguria’s Expo week, RAISE will contribute with the experiential video “EXPOsing RAISE – Present and future of Italian Robotics and AI”, a multimedia feature that will showcase the main applications and projects developed by the organizations and companies belonging to the ecosystem.

The video is one of several audiovisual materials that visitors will be able to view within the Liguria Region’s dedicated area inside the Italian Pavilion. The production, coordinated by Spoke 5 – RAISE Communication Team with technical support from ETT Dedagroup, involved more than one hundred researchers, developers, and professionals from the sector.

The journey proposed in the video will allow Expo visitors to explore twelve three-dimensional and interactive models illustrating RAISE’s main research areas: inclusive smart cities, personalized healthcare, eco-robotics for environmental protection, and intelligent port logistics. The showcased solutions will include ground robots, drones, underwater ROVs, and humanoids operating in real-life contexts across the Ligurian region, such as ports, historic centers, healthcare facilities, and the marine environment.

“We are honored to take part in this major event and we thank the Liguria Region for the tremendous work done,” commented Cristina Battaglia, RAISE Project Manager. “Expo Osaka represents a global showcase and we are proud to present some of our projects related to robotics and artificial intelligence. RAISE is growing significantly in terms of projects and applications, and having the opportunity to display even a part of our work is unique”.

The press conference also highlighted other key aspects of Liguria’s presence in Osaka: six artisan companies selected through a dedicated regional call; cultural initiatives such as the Chiossone Museum; the launch of the new edition of the Genoa International Boat Show; and the strengthening of relations between Ligurian universities and Japanese educational institutions. References were also made to successful entrepreneurial stories born from the meeting between Liguria and Japan, as well as to the promotion of tourism and local skills.

The entire program has been designed to strengthen existing ties with Japan and to create new opportunities for economic and cultural cooperation within a global showcase like the Universal Expo in Osaka.

For further details, see the Liguria Region’s official press release.

RAISE ecosystem participates in conference on AI and robotics

Posted on 17 June 202517 June 2025 by admin

The sixth stage of the “Fabbrica della Realtà” Roadshow took place in Genoa on June 16th at the Galata Museo del Mare, dedicated to the theme “Embodied AI, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for the Future of the Planet”.

The event, promoted by ANSA in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), represented an important opportunity for discussion among institutions, research centers, companies, and startups engaged in the development of artificial intelligence solutions applied to robotics, with particular attention to the excellence present in the Ligurian region.

RAISE actively participated in the event with two contributions highlighting the strategic value of emerging technologies for environmental sustainability and industrial innovation.

Marco Faimali, Director of the Institute for the Study of Anthropogenic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (IAS-CNR) and leader of Spoke 3, opened RAISE’s contribution by illustrating the opportunities offered by ecobotronics, a rapidly expanding field that integrates robotics and artificial intelligence for environmental protection and monitoring. During his presentation, Faimali shared application cases and research projects that demonstrate how autonomous robotic solutions can monitor, analyze, and intervene in the environment effectively and non-invasively. He also emphasized the potential of these technologies to support environmental remediation, pollution control, and biodiversity protection, contributing concretely to environmental sustainability goals set at European and international levels. On this occasion, Faimali also described RAISE’s broader contribution to robotics and sustainability, highlighting the value that the ecosystem is bringing to the Ligurian region and its future development prospects, with the aim of ensuring continuity of activities even beyond the conclusion of the NRRP, in order to consolidate technologies and solutions for the benefit of society and the environment.

In the following panel, Cristina Battaglia, RAISE Programme Manager, explored the topic of technology transfer, focusing on the dynamics of enhancing scientific research through industrialization processes and dissemination in various production sectors. Battaglia illustrated the operational methods adopted by RAISE to foster dialogue between academia, the entrepreneurial system, and public administration, underlining the importance of creating an innovation chain capable of transforming scientific and technological skills into concrete application solutions. Her speech also highlighted RAISE’s strategic role as a facilitator of systemic and integrated innovation processes, with particular attention to the need to ensure continuity of the results achieved and the technologies developed, even after the end of the NRRP, in order to support over time the impact of the initiatives undertaken on the local economy and the production system.

The event offered an overview of the most advanced applications of “Embodied AI”, or artificial intelligence embodied in robotic systems capable of learning through interaction with the physical environment. This approach paves the way for new models of automation and functional autonomy for robots, with direct implications in strategic areas such as industrial production, logistics, precision agriculture, healthcare, space industry, and environmental protection.
Many experts took part during the day, including representatives from the Italian Institute of Technology, the University of Genoa, Deloitte Consulting, and innovative companies specializing in AI-based solutions.

The event hosted the official greetings from the President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci, and from City Councilor Vittoria Cerchi Canessa, representing the Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis.

Among the speakers, Giorgio Metta, Scientific Director of the Italian Institute of Technology, stood out by presenting the latest research developed in IIT laboratories; Federico Cardone, Director at Deloitte Consulting, focused on the opportunities of artificial intelligence in business processes; Antonio Sgorbissa, Professor at the University of Genoa, explored the theme of collaborative robotics; Jacopo Zenzeri, CEO of ReWing, provided a testimony on technological entrepreneurship; Francesca Negrello, Technology Manager at JOiiNT LAB, presented technology transfer projects in the industrial field; Emilio Alacevich, Chiara Bartolozzi, and Daniele Pucci from IIT demonstrated the application potential of “Embodied AI” systems in various sectors. Finally, Eleonora Servodio, Coordinator of the H4E incubator for startups, described initiatives supporting young innovative enterprises.

The conference was moderated by Alessio Jacona, curator of the ANSA.it Artificial Intelligence Observatory, and journalist Massimo Sebastiani.
ANSA’s CEO, Stefano De Alessandri, concluded the meeting by emphasizing the crucial role of information in fostering understanding of ongoing technological transformations and in promoting a widespread culture of innovation.

Strategic agreement between AMT and RAISE

Posted on 12 June 202512 June 2025 by admin

A new strategic agreement between AMT Genova (Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti) and RAISE (Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment) paves the way for a collaboration aimed at testing innovative technologies in the areas of urban mobility, accessibility to services, and environmental monitoring.

The recently signed memorandum of understanding lays the groundwork for joint activities that promote the integration of public transportation and technological innovation, with a direct impact on citizens’ quality of life.

AMT’s fleet plays a central role in the project, becoming a mobile platform for real-world testing of technologies developed within the Ligurian innovation ecosystem.

The initiative focuses on two main operational areas, developed in synergy with the “E. Magenes” Institute for Applied Mathematics and Information Technologies (IMATI) and the Institute for Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (IAS), both part of the National Research Council (CNR).

The scientific and technological partnership also includes the University of Genoa, the CIMA Foundation, and ETT S.p.A., thus strengthening a collaborative network launched within the RAISE program.

The first line of action involves the development of intelligent solutions for increasingly accessible, sustainable, and inclusive mobility. The installation of sensors on vehicles and at stops enables real-time data collection on the use of public services and accessibility conditions. The collected data allows for the creation of digital tools for route planning, travel assistance, and service adaptation to users’ specific needs, with particular attention to people with motor or visual impairments. The technologies being tested provide up-to-date information on vehicle occupancy, crowding levels, and stop accessibility.

The second operational focus is on environmental monitoring. AMT buses are equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting atmospheric and climatic parameters in real time, such as particulate matter concentration, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events. The collected data complements existing databases and helps improve the ability to predict and respond to critical events, enhancing urban adaptation strategies to climate change.

The agreement is a concrete example of technology transfer from research centers to society, in line with the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which supports RAISE through Mission 4, Component 2.

The initiative confirms AMT’s commitment to promoting cutting-edge solutions for urban mobility and fits within a broader vision of social and environmental sustainability.

The collaboration between AMT Genova and RAISE Ecosystem lays the foundation for an increasingly intelligent public mobility system, attentive to people’s needs and capable of actively contributing to environmental protection.

Spokes 3 and Spoke 4 present three marine demos at the Blue Festival

Posted on 5 June 20255 June 2025 by admin

On June 4, during the “Expo of Innovative and Sustainable Solutions” at the Genova Blue District, Spoke 3 and Spoke 4 of RAISE took part in the Blue Festival with three demonstrations focused on marine environmental monitoring.

The initiative is part of the Blue Festival, a city-wide event dedicated to climate, oceans, and biodiversity, held from June 3 to 14. The festival features exhibitions, workshops, talks, performances, screenings, gaming, and a showcase of innovative solutions.

During the event, three prototypes were presented by CNR-IAS and ETT: OpenCTD, @lgawarning, and an ROV equipped with biofouling analysis technology.

OpenCTD is a tool for measuring marine temperature and salinity. Compact and easy to handle, it enables fast and reliable collection of physico-chemical data in water. The process involves a simple manual start, immersion to stabilize the sensors, and subsequent data retrieval via SD card. Ease of use is combined with good precision in environmental data collection.

@lgawarning is an integrated system for monitoring algal blooms, based on a sampling kit and a mobile app with GPS functionality. Users can collect and analyze water samples, take microscopic images using a smartphone, and generate georeferenced reports. The interface also helps visually identify the algae through an educational quiz, encouraging active participation from citizens and professionals. Within the RAISE project, an AI model is being trained on a photo database of toxic algae samples (e.g., Ostreopsis cf. ovata) to enable recognition of such species in environmental samples.

The third device is an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) equipped with software for assessing biofouling — the accumulation of organisms on surfaces exposed to seawater, such as ship hulls. This system employs deep learning techniques for visual analysis of submerged surfaces and has been developed as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Neural networks enable image segmentation to distinguish between clean surfaces, hard fouling, and soft fouling. Integration with the remotely operated vehicle allows for real-time analysis, with potential applications for sustainable management of marine infrastructure in accordance with IMO guidelines.

As part of efforts to monitor the health of marine ecosystems, “early warning systems” are being developed, combining environmental research and AI to analyze swimming movements and appendages of marine zooplankton organisms (such as crustaceans and cnidarians).

Spoke 3 contributes to the development of ecorobotics, an emerging field that combines robotics and artificial intelligence for environmental protection. Its contribution to the Blue Festival highlighted the strategic role of innovation in building a sustainable future.

Spoke 4 focuses on the development of smart and sustainable ports through the integration of robotics and AI systems. Its main goal is to make port operations safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable, including the implementation of tools to reduce environmental impact.

All events are free of charge. The full program is available on the official website.

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COFFEETECH Genova: Cristina Battaglia presents the results of the RAISE Ecosystem

Posted on 3 June 20253 June 2025 by admin

On Friday, May 30, 2025, the 246th edition of the weekly “Coffeetech” series took place at the Confindustria Genova headquarters.

The featured guest was Cristina Battaglia, Programme Manager of the RAISE Innovation Ecosystem, who – three years after the launch of the program – provided an update on the “Results and Outlook of the RAISE Ecosystem”.

During her presentation, Cristina Battaglia gave an overview of the main achievements and showcased a selection of technology demonstrators developed within the program’s four strategic areas:
– Urban technologies for inclusive engagement;
– Personal and remote healthcare;
– Environmental protection and care;
– Smart and sustainable ports.

Among the topics discussed were also the future perspectives for the ecosystem’s consolidation and expansion: “We are working together with all partners and HUB members on defining a strategic plan, which will outline the activity lines and priority programs for the future of the ecosystem. The contribution of Confindustria Genoa will be crucial in aligning objectives and tools to enhance RAISE’s results in service of the business system,” commented Cristina Battaglia, with an eye toward the technologies and skills considered most promising for regional competitiveness.

The event provided an important opportunity to reflect on the state of technological innovation in Liguria, with particular attention to the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence – areas where RAISE is making a significant contribution to the region’s economic and social development.

A recording of the Coffeetech event is available on the Confindustria Genova Facebook page.

FameLab Genova 2025: local selection concluded

Posted on 9 May 20259 May 2025 by admin

Once again this year, the FameLab Genova initiative saw the active participation of RAISE among the organizations that contributed to the organization of the local selection of the renowned international science communication competition. The Genoese edition confirmed its status as a significant and eagerly awaited event in the field of science communication, offering an opportunity to highlight the talent and communication skills of young researchers.

The final event took place on Wednesday, May 7, at the LaClaque theatre in the historic center of the city. Numerous participants took to the stage, each tasked with presenting a scientific topic in just three minutes, clearly, engagingly, and effectively—without the aid of images or videos. Only small props were allowed, with the main tools being creativity and passion for science storytelling.

Carlotta Spattini and Anna Shabalova, both researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), stood out among the contestants, winning first and second place respectively. The jury, composed of experts from both the scientific and cultural sectors, awarded first prize to Spattini for her talk “Molecular Harmony: Precision Tuning”, while Shabalova earned second place with “The Other Part of Love Hormone”.

FameLab Genova 2025 chiusa la selezione locale - Ecosistema RAISE — Le finaliste. Da sinistra a destra Carlotta Spattini (prima classificata) e Anna Shabalova (seconda classificata) | Credits: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia – © IIT, all rights reserved

The jury was made up of Alessio Caminata (INFN – Genova Section), Roberta De Donatis (CNR-IMATI and member of the RAISE Innovation Ecosystem), Eleonora D’Urso (actress and director), Teresa Pellegrino (Head of the Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications lab at IIT) and Walter Riva (Director of the Righi Astronomical Observatory).

At the same time, the audience had the opportunity to vote for the Audience Award, which was given to Hazem Ahmed – also a researcher at IIT – for his presentation “The Future of Memory”.

The overall quality of the presentations made the jury’s task especially difficult, highlighting the high level of preparation and the growing importance of science communication as a tool for societal engagement.

The two Genoese winners will participate in an intensive science communication masterclass to be held in Perugia from June 13 to 15, led by Wendy Sadler of Science Made Simple. They will then go on to represent Genoa at the national final, scheduled for September 27 in Perugia, where they will compete against the winners from seven other Italian cities: Ancona, Bari, Camerino, Catania, Cosenza, Ferrara, and Trieste.

The national winner will ultimately take part in the international final, representing Italy alongside winners from other countries, in a global competition dedicated to science and the art of sharing it.

The 2025 edition of FameLab Genova was promoted as a pre-event of the SHARPER European Researchers’ Night and was coordinated by IIT, in collaboration with numerous institutional and cultural partners: CNR, University of Genoa, INFN – Genova Section, Festival della Scienza, RAISE, Genoa Aquarium, The City of Children and Youth, Giacomo Doria Natural History Museum, Associazione Didattica Museale, the Genoa branch of ADI – Italian Association of PhD Candidates and PhDs, with media support from Scientificast.

FameLab Genoa 2025: the challenge among young science communicators returns

Posted on 30 April 202530 April 2025 by admin

On Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 May 2025, Genoa will host the local selection of FameLab, the international science communication competition aimed at young researchers.

The initiative seeks to highlight the communication skills of those working in research, challenging participants to present a scientific topic in just three minutes, in a clear, engaging, and accessible way for a non-specialist audience. The rules are simple yet strict: no multimedia presentations—only words, gestures, and small objects are allowed to support the talk. Once again this year, RAISE is contributing to the organization of the Genoa selection, playing an active role in the event’s implementation.

The 2025 Genoa edition will consist of two preliminary rounds dedicated to school audiences. The first will take place on Tuesday 6 May at 9:30 a.m. at the Blue Hall of the Genoa Aquarium, while the second will be held on Wednesday 7 May, also at 9:30 a.m., at the Auditorium of the Giacomo Doria Natural History Museum.

Candidates who pass these initial rounds will move on to the final selection, scheduled for Wednesday 7 May at 8:00 p.m. at Teatro LaClaque (Vico di San Donato).

The final evening, open to the public, will also feature a theatrical interlude with Maniman Teatro, a local theatre group that will perform improvisations inspired by suggestions and prompts from the audience. Attendance is free of charge, but booking is required at this link.

FameLab is a competition conceived by Cheltenham Festivals and brought to Italy in 2012 by Psiquadro, in collaboration with a network of over 100 national partners, including universities, public research institutions, and associations. The 2025 edition features eight local selections in the cities of Ancona, Bari, Camerino, Catania, Cosenza, Ferrara, Genoa, and Trieste.

The top two contestants from each local event will compete in the national final, scheduled for 27 September 2025 in Perugia. The Italian winner will go on to represent the country in the international final, to be held in November 2025.

The Genoa selection is coordinated by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), in collaboration with several local institutions: the National Research Council (CNR), the University of Genoa, the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) – Genoa section, the Festival of Science Association, RAISE, the Genoa Aquarium, the Children’s City, the Giacomo Doria Natural History Museum, the Italian Association of PhD Students and Graduates (ADI) – Genoa chapter, the Museum Education Association (ADM), and with media partnership from Scientificast.

The event offers a valuable opportunity to bring science closer to the general public and to inspire a passion for research and science communication among younger generations.

RAISE leads the “ARTOUR – Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Tourism” project, funded by the Interreg Italy – France Maritime Programme 2021 – 2027

Posted on 30 April 202530 April 2025 by admin

RAISE is the lead partner of the “ARTOUR – Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Tourism” project, which has been deemed eligible and funded under the 2nd Call of the Interreg Italy – France Maritime Programme 2021 – 2027, with a total budget of € 1.996.431,63.

ARTOUR was selected under Priority 1 – A cross-border area that is attractive and based on smart and sustainable modernization, with a focus on Specific Objective 3 – Strengthening sustainable growth and the competitiveness of SMEs in the tourism and cultural services sectors.

The project partnership includes RAISE S.c.a.r.l. as the lead partner, e.INS (implementing body of the Ecosystem of Innovation for Next Generation Sardinia), START 4.0 Competence Center, ARTES 4.0 Competence Center, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Petra Patrimonia Corsica Cooperative. ARTOUR aims to promote the digital transformation of businesses through the introduction of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced 5G connectivity. The project aligns with the Industry 5.0 paradigm, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and the enhancement of natural and cultural heritage.

The project includes a wide range of activities to support SMEs operating in the relevant sectors:
– Support (including guidance, dissemination, and information activities) for the use of AI by companies in the tourism and cultural services sectors;
– Provision of pilot projects and demonstrations through which companies can conduct tests supported by experts with sector-specific knowledge (“test before invest” and technology transfer);
– Organization of Challenges via Calls for Ideas to identify and support the most promising initiatives capable of identifying needs and innovative solutions in the sector, thereby promoting constant interaction between supply and demand and fostering joint projects among SMEs, innovation actors, end users, etc.;
– Open calls for the provision of grants for the implementation of feasibility studies and Proofs of Concept (also leveraging the technological infrastructure and expertise of the technology transfer centers network), particularly targeting start-ups.

€ 520.000,00 of the project’s budget will be allocated as non-repayable grants for businesses operating in the tourism and cultural sectors, which will also gain access to services and technologies through the network of involved competence centers.

Running until July 31 2027, the ARTOUR project represents a concrete opportunity for local businesses, strengthening RAISE’s international presence and generating real and lasting impacts.

Angel Robot: poetry, light, and artificial intelligence at Robot Valley Genova 2025

Posted on 17 April 202518 April 2025 by admin

From April 10 to 16, 2025, Largo Sandro Pertini in Genoa was transformed into a space suspended between art and technology thanks to Angel Robot, one of the most evocative moments of the Robot Valley Genova 2025 program.

Created by artist Marco Nereo Rotelli, the installation took shape inside a special container produced by Elital, a company active in the design and production of components for the aerospace and aeronautics sectors. On the outside, the container appeared as a mysterious and industrial object; inside, however, something extraordinary happened.

Visitors entered an immersive environment where a hologram materialized: a moving mechanical figure, created in collaboration with digital designer Antonio Alfano, which seemed to take shape in real time before the audience’s eyes. Its name was Kalikazoo, a robotic angel that danced and invited reflection on the relationship between human beings and artificial intelligences.

The hologram didn’t just move — it spoke through poetry. Thanks to the collaboration with digital creative Luca Marazzina, Angel Robot offered verses generated by artificial intelligence systems, creating a bridge between poetic language and advanced technology. In this vision, the machine was not merely a tool, but a thinking heart, capable of expressing emotions and sparking thoughts.

As night fell, the installation gained an additional layer of meaning. In a rarefied blue light, verses by poet Edoardo Sanguineti — gifted in the past to Rotelli — were projected. The nighttime projection, curated directly by Rotelli, preserved the artist’s signature style, blending calligraphy, light, and motion into a poetic urban narrative.

Angel Robot was the result of a collective, multidisciplinary effort. The soundscape was created in collaboration with Alessio Bertallot, while overall coordination was entrusted to architect Elena Lombardi. The project was also made possible thanks to the contributions of Everinart, Fuoriscena for the lighting system, and Omai, curator of the digital box.

At a time when reflections on artificial intelligence are more relevant than ever, Angel Robot presented an artistic vision in which the human and the artificial did not oppose each other, but met. It was an invitation to imagine a future where technology does not erase poetry, but amplifies it — and where even a robot can be a messenger of beauty and understanding.

Robot Valley conquers Genoa: success for the second edition

Posted on 15 April 20259 May 2025 by admin

The second edition of “Robot Valley. Robotics, Arts and People” attracted over 2.000 attendees. The event, organized by the RAISE project, once again engaged the Genoese public, offering opportunities for discussion and exploration around robotics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.

Held from April 10 to 12, this year the event had the honor of being selected by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) as an official event for the National Made in Italy Day, celebrated annually on April 15—a prestigious recognition that confirms its importance in the landscape of Italian technological and cultural excellence.

Once again, the venue was Villa Durazzo Bombrini in Cornigliano, the cultural hub of Genoa’s western district, which for three days was animated with talks, robotic demonstrations, interactive workshops, scientific update sessions, guidance activities, meetings with institutions and innovation experts, and the Innovation Showcase organized as part of the RAISE up mentorship program. This showcase offered a high-profile platform for 13 selected technologies to present themselves to entrepreneurs and businesses with potential interest.

In addition to highlighting the goals and progress of the various RAISE project “Spokes” through 13 events including roundtables and talks, the “Robot Valley” program also featured a strong artistic component, once again exploring the connections between new technologies and the languages and forms of art.

Genoese artist Alessandro Piano created a special installation for the event titled “Alter Ego Maxi RAISE”, a fiberglass sculpture with a hollow body housing a small saltwater aquarium. The aquarium, in turn, contained Alter Ego BIG LUDO, a “daughter” sculpture retrieved and displayed after spending 9 months at sea, its surface bearing various microorganisms as evidence of life in submerged environments. Another highlight was “Angel Robot”, a holographic installation by Venetian artist Marco Nereo Rotelli in collaboration with digital designer Antonio Alfano. Located in a container provided by the Elital group and installed in Genoa’s central Largo Pertini, the immersive experience showcased a graceful “mechanical angel” that conveyed, with expressive power, the importance of fostering a relationship between humans and machines. Visitors were also offered short poems generated by AI, inspired by the words and themes of Genoese poet Edoardo Sanguineti – providing a further reflection on how the fusion of different artistic languages can open new interpretative paths when applied to the world of technology.

The digital photography exhibition “Raise the Future” was also hosted at Villa Bombrini. Co-created with Artificial Intelligence by the National Research Council (CNR) in collaboration with the RAISE Communications Team, the impactful images immediately conveyed the research and technology transfer activities initiated by the project, illustrating inclusive and sustainable scenarios of a future in which robotics and AI collaborate in various human activities and contribute to improving quality of life and the environment.

“With over 800 visitors, the robotic demos also attracted great interest: representatives from the research teams of the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of Genoa took turns in front of the public, explaining the operating principles, applications, objectives, and future developments of various robots. In particular, the RICE group from Dibris (University of Genoa) presented the social robots Buddy and Navel – currently used primarily in schools and for interacting with children – and Pepper, a social assistive robot that will soon be part of a trial in the geriatrics ward of San Martino Hospital in Genoa. They also showcased the quadruped robots Spot (developed in collaboration with Boston Dynamics) and Go1 Unitree, already in use for monitoring and “search and rescue” operations in high-risk areas. The Italian Institute of Technology, on the other hand, presented the social assistive robot R1 and a new robotic platform for the automatic collection of small litter, particularly cigarette butts, called VERO”.

Finally, there was a wide range of educational workshops aimed at schools, organized by the Science Festival Association in collaboration with the School of Robotics and the CNR Institute for Educational Technologies, registering a total of 680 attendees. The workshops included:
– “Programming is Child’s Play!” (by the Italian Institute of Technology);
– “Robo-sport: Let’s Program Champion Robots Together!” (by the School of Robotics in collaboration with CampuStore);
– “FantasIA: From Words to Artificial Imagination” (by CNR – Institute for Educational Technologies);
– “Algorithms and Digital Snakes: Discovering Reinforcement Learning” (by MaLGa Machine Learning Genoa Center, University of Genoa – Department of Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering);
– “Co-creating with Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier of Images and Art” (by CNR – Institute for Educational Technologies).