The future of disability technologies. Challenges and opportunities for improving the lives of veterans and all people with mobility difficulties
On the occasion of the IV Veterans' Day in Italy, the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Defence and the Defence Veterans Centre organised a conference to illustrate how research and technology can contribute to the autonomy and active participation of people with disabilities
A day dedicated to scientific research and innovation to provide concrete answers and solutions to those who face the challenge of disability every day. The Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Defence and the Defence Veterans Centre organised the conference “Inclusive technologies. Innovations to support veterans with disabilities” on the occasion of Veterans Day in Italy.
The initiative took place on Tuesday 11 November at the Armed Forces Officers' Club in Rome and was an opportunity to discover how research, particularly in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering, can improve the quality of life of veterans with disabilities and break down architectural, cognitive and communication barriers. From robotic hands to wearable exoskeletons, from new-generation prostheses to technologies for daily autonomy, scientists, industry experts and institutional representatives came together to understand the state of the art in rehabilitation technologies, to identify the real needs of people with disabilities and to outline possible future collaborations.
The initiative was attended by the Undersecretary of State for Defence, Senator Isabella Rauti, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, the Inspector General of Military Health, Lieutenant General Carlo Catalano, the Rector of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Professor Nicola Vitiello, a delegation of Defence Veterans and other military authorities, and representatives from the political, academic and scientific worlds.
Technological progress at the service of the country
After institutional greetings from General Florigio Lista, Director of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Defence, Prof. Nicola Vitiello, Rector of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, and Lieutenant General Carlo Catalano, Inspector General of Military Health, innovative smart devices, software and applications that are transforming the daily lives of many people with disabilities were presented. Accessibility, innovation and social progress are the three key concepts that guide the activities of research groups engaged in the development of new technologies: Dr Felice Minutillo (Policlinico Gemelli in Rome) offered an overview of recent surgical techniques, while Prof. Marco Controzzi and Prof. Simona Crea from the BioRobotics Institute of the Sant'Anna School presented technological advances in hand prosthetics, human-machine interfaces, prostheses and lower limb exoskeletons. Eng. Emanuele Gruppioni (INAIL Prosthetic Centre) spoke about INAL's research activities in the field of prosthetics and rehabilitation to promote social and occupational reintegration. Technological solutions for daily independence and domestic life were the focus of the presentation by Dr Joseph A. Butkus (Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre). Finally, Monica Graziana Contrafatto (Paralympic athlete) told her personal story and described the benefits she has gained from sports prostheses.
Particular focus was given to the BIOVET “BIOnics for VETerans” project, a bilateral Italy-USA initiative carried out in collaboration between the Ministry of Defence's Veterans Centre, the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, the University of Sassari, Prensilia S.r.l. and Iuvo S.r.l., and the US Department of Defence, for the development and testing of new technologies and robotic methodologies in the field of prosthetics and robotic orthotics for individuals with loss or dysfunction of upper or lower limbs.
During the afternoon session of the conference, veterans had the opportunity to directly test the wearable prosthetic devices developed by the Biorobotics Institute of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies.
Statements
"Research is valuable when it produces results that improve people's lives and contribute to the development of the country. Every step forward in knowledge and technology must aim to create a more equitable society, in which no one is left behind. I am thinking in particular of those who have served the country and who, as a result of their commitment, now live with a disability. We owe these people not only gratitude, but also opportunities and cutting-edge technologies that meet their specific needs," said Rector Nicola Vitiello.
With this initiative, ‘we reaffirm a key principle of the culture of defence, which is not only to protect the nation's borders, but also to defend the values of dignity, solidarity and inclusion every day,’ said Senator Rauti.
‘Veterans are true bearers of an ethical heritage that unites all the Armed Forces, bound by a single moral code based on loyalty, discipline, esprit de corps and a sense of duty,’ commented General Portolano.
