Vito Cacucciolo, a young teacher and researcher in the department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management of the Polytechnic of Bari, has obtained a highly prestigious recognition: the ERC starting grant 2023. This prize, awarded by the European Research Council, will finance his ambitious project , RoboFluid, which aims to redefine the boundaries of wearable robotics.
Robotics, as a field of research, has always had the goal of extending and improving human capabilities. But with the RoboFluid project, we are talking about a quantum leap. The idea behind this project is not just to create simple wearable devices, but to develop one new category of robots which, through the use of special fluids, can effectively expand the psycho-physical capabilities of the individual.
A revolutionary vision
The concept of wearable robots is not new. However, what makes RoboFluid unique is the innovative approach to robotics. Imagine clothes capable of autonomously regulating body temperature, allowing the individual to face extreme climatic conditions effortlessly. Or haptic gloves that allow you to perform manual tasks thousands of kilometers away, as if you were actually on site. Without forgetting low-cost robotic hands, which could open new frontiers in various sectors, from medicine to manufacturing.
The heart and soul behind RoboFluid
Vito Cacucciolo he is not just a researcher, but a visionary. His ambition does not stop at the realization of a single project. He has a clear vision: to establish a laboratory at the Polytechnic University of Bari that can compete with world leaders in research on smart materials and soft robotics. And it's nice just to think that it may no longer be a pipe dream.
With the support of the ERC starting grant and the infrastructure of the Polytechnic, there is the possibility of creating a research group composed of young talented engineers, both from the Polytechnic of Bari and from outside. The target? Producing cutting-edge innovation in scientific research and industrial technologies related to robotics, right in Puglia. Why not?
Here we are all nostalgic for Olivetti.
Polytechnic of Bari state of mind, why not?
As robotics continues to evolve, projects like RoboFluid remind us of the importance of innovation and research. But there is also a deeper message: technology, when used correctly, can improve people's lives. And with researchers like Puppy and institutions such as the Bari Polytechnic, the future of wearable robotics seems to be in excellent hands (human and otherwise).
In the perspective in which the coexistence between man and machine will become increasingly closer, it is essential to support and promote projects like this: because, in the end, it is through innovation and collaboration that we will build a better future for everyone.
And what do you think of RoboFluid? Are you ready for a future where robots are not only around us, but also on us? Share your thoughts on our social channels and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project.
