From Pontedera to the Moon. Italian and Japanese scientists at the Biorobotics Institute for the ‘Moonshot’ robotic avatar project

A meeting to strengthen scientific collaboration in the field of robotics and explore new lines of research to address some of the major social and technological challenges of the coming years. A delegation from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) visited the BioRobotics Institute of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, strengthening a long-standing synergy initiated by the Institute's founder, Prof. Paolo Dario.

For a few days, Pontedera was an international reference point for research into the future of robotics and health. Through the JST, the Japanese government is promoting a series of highly visionary research programmes known as the Moonshot Research and Development Programme. A central role is played by the project dedicated to the development of robotic avatars: advanced systems that allow elderly or disabled people to interact with the outside world through robots controlled directly by the user, true “remote physical or virtual bodies”. This is a particularly important challenge for Japan and Italy, countries that share a significantly ageing population.

During three days of intense scientific exchanges, Italian and Japanese researchers outlined new joint research lines for the coming years. The topics covered ranged from the development of social and companion robots, to the use of brain waves for the recovery of motor and cognitive functions and for health monitoring, to robotic devices for rehabilitation and surgery. Ample space was also devoted to the ethical, legal and social aspects related to the introduction of these technologies into everyday life, with the involvement and scientific contribution of the DIRPOLIS and Economics Institutes of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and the Center for Materials Interfaces of the Italian Institute of Technology.

The Japan Science and Technology Agency delegation included Prof. Norihiro Hagita, Director of the research programme, the scientific managers of the various project lines and representatives of the JST. Of particular note was the presentation by Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro, one of the world's leading experts in cybernetic robots, whose research is an international benchmark in the field of robotic avatars and human-robot interaction.