Apr. 30 – The European “Wearhap” project was officially launched to lay the foundations for new wearable technologies able to connect with our “sensors.” Coordinated by the University of Siena, under the guidance of Professor Domenico Prattichizzo, the project involves the participation of a consortium of universities and research centers throughout Europe, including the University of Pisa, the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa and the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa.
The “Wearhap” project – meaning Wearable Haptics for Humans and Robots – will have a duration of 4 years and can count on a loan of € 7.7 million, allocated by the European Union. It was presented at the Department of Information Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, of the University of Siena. The project aims to lay the scientific and technological basis for the development of extremely wearable robotic systems able to interact tactilely with men. This is an innovative concept set to revolutionize the way in which human beings cooperate with robots by means of non-verbal communication. The results will have applications in the medical sphere and social interaction. “I am very happy with this result – said the rector of the University of Siena, Angelo Riccaboni – as Wearhap is a project of great value, the outcome of which will have a positive impact on social development, consistent with the strategic priorities of the University, with the sensitivity of the Ministry and with the objectives of the most advanced research in the international arena. It’s very important to show that in Siena you can make a new model of development based on knowledge and skills, able to compete with excellence initiatives on a global scale. the University of Siena is building its revival on projects such as Wearhap, to the benefit of an area that will increasingly relate to the international level.” “It is a project that fills us with enthusiasm – said Professor Prattichizzo – that involves prestigious research groups around the world. Tuscany holds more than 40% of the obtained loan and this fills us with pride. We will take care of the heart of technological innovations that really will change the relationship between humans and robots, allowing to remotely reproduce audio and visual content, and even tactile sensory data. I’m glad to finally point out that in Siena, thanks to the Wearhap project, 12 young researchers will work.”