Niccolò Pagliarani, researcher at the BioRobotics Institute of Sant’Anna School, wins the Italy Giovane Under 35 Award
Niccolò Pagliarani, researcher at the BioRobotics Institute of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, is among the winners of the Italy Giovane Under 35 Award, a recognition promoted by the Fondazione Ingenio ETS and dedicated to young talents who distinguish themselves through scientific, professional, and institutional achievements. The award ceremony took place today at the LUISS Business School in Rome.
The Italy Giovane Award highlights outstanding under-35 individuals who contribute to the social and cultural progress of the country, acknowledging paths marked by dedication, commitment, and vision. The 2025 edition selected young people capable of responsibly addressing contemporary challenges, turning skills and innovative ideas into concrete projects.
Among them, Niccolò Pagliarani stands out as one of the most significant figures in the Italian robotics landscape. At 28, after completing studies in Biomedical Engineering and Bionics at the University of Bologna and the Sant’Anna School, he has focused his work on soft robotics, a field that uses flexible materials to enable delicate and safe manipulation of fragile objects. His career includes research experiences in the United States at Harvard—also in collaboration with NASA—and in Switzerland at EPFL, environments that allowed him to engage with interdisciplinary and international approaches.
Upon returning to Italy, Pagliarani combined scientific activity with an entrepreneurial mindset. He is co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Capio Robotics, a startup specializing in soft robotics solutions for the agri-food sector. The company develops grippers made from elastic materials and advanced perception systems, designed to automate the harvesting of fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products, integrating physical AI components capable of adapting to different object morphologies.
The vision guiding his work aims at a more sustainable and human-centered robotics, increasingly integrated into processes that require precision or involve challenging working conditions for humans. Pagliarani also emphasizes the social dimension of technology, aiming to employ robots as tools that support the most demanding or repetitive tasks, freeing time and resources for activities that require sensitivity and human care.
The recognition from the Italy Giovane Award confirms the impact of his trajectory, which brings together advanced research, technological innovation, and attention to real societal needs. His experience demonstrates how Italy can cultivate excellence in robotics and artificial intelligence, even within a context where retaining and supporting young researchers remains a crucial challenge.
