Linee di ricerca

The students involved in this research topic will investigate soft conductive materials and their fabrication processes for applications as sensors/actuators in biomedicine and robotics. These include printed epidermal electronics (tattoos) for biomonitoring and sustainable laser induced graphene for next-generation devices. [PI(s): Greco, Ferrari - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): FISA - Circular Posidonia (MUR).

For more details, see: Laboratory of Applied Materials for Printed and Soft electronics

This research topic includes research activities in the areas of mechatronics and human-machine interfaces with the goal of developing thought-controlled robotic prostheses. Examples of these activities are magnetic implants (myokinetic interfaces), myoelectric control schemes and algorithms, and shared control paradigms. [PI(s): Cipriani, Gherardini, Mastinu - Location(s): Pontedera, Budrio]

Project(s): Fit4MedRob (MUR (PNRR)); NoProblem (INAIL - GA PR23-CR-P3); OsteoAMI (INAIL - GA PR23-CR-P5); BioArmNext (INAIL - GA PR23-RR-P3); MIOPRO2 (INAIL - GA PR23-CR-P1); HAND2 (MUR).

For more details, see: Artificial Hands Area

The students involved in these research activities will undertake research activities focused on developing underwater robots and their associated bio-inspired algorithms and on-board software, for performing underwater missions. The activities will involve theoretical and experimental components in indoor and outdoor underwater facilities. [PI(s): Calisti, Romano - Location(s): Livorno, Pontedera]

For more details, see: Bioinspired And Soft Robotics, Biorobotic Ecosystems Lab

The students involved in this research topic will focus on bioinspired, soft robotic technologies for exploring and monitoring unstructured environments, primarily in agriculture and industrial applications. Drawing inspiration from plants and soft-bodied animals, the research activities involve a thorough analysis of natural systems, encompassing biomechanics and behavioral responses. [PI(s): Mazzolai - Location(s): Genova]

Project(s):  I-WOOD (ERC, GA: 101003304); I-SEED (H2020, GA: 101017940); PROBOSCIS (H2020, GA:863212); RAISE (PNRR).

For more details, see: BioInspired Soft Robotics (IIT)

The students will focus on wearable and implantable devices, functional biomaterials, machine learning approaches, and signal and image processing, to restore sensory, motor, cognitive, and autonomic functions in people with disabilities. Computational models and novel data analysis approaches will also be developed to understand neural functions and to target patients’ recovery. [PI(s): Micera, Mazzoni, Shokur, Proietti, Russo, Carpaneto, Redolfi Riva, Meneghetti - Location(s): Pontedera, Milano]

Project(s): BIOINTERNECT (INAIL).

For more details, see: Bioelectronics And Bioengineering Area, Computational Neuroengineering Laboratory, Soft Neurobionics Lab, Brain Dynamics Laboratory

The students will be involved in research activities focus on brain models for motor control, sensory-motor coordination, and cognition in autonomous robots. Such models are based on AI methods with the goal of improving robot capabilities for soft and rigid platforms. [PI(s): Falotico - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): SHARE-CP (Fondazione Pisa); Fit4Med (MUR (PNRR)).

For more details, see: BRAIR Lab

The students involved in this research topic will develop computational models for the design of bioengineering devices inspired by biological organisms. These include: unicellular swimmers with applications to targeted drug delivery, leaves and seeds of plants with applications to environmental sensing, worms for new surgical tools. [PI(s): De Simone - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): I-Seed (H2020, GA:101017940).

For more details, see: A. De Simone personal webpage

This research topic pursues environmental biorobotics and organism–machine interaction for exploring, monitoring and interacting with delicate and extreme ecosystems. It integrates biological discoveries, engineering abstraction, and application-driven analysis fostering breakthrough bioinspired innovations. [PI(s): Romano - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): SENSORBEES (EU HORIZON PATHFINDEROPEN; [101130325],); BioDiMoBot (HORIZON EUROPE EIC ); OCEAN-ROBOCTO (National Geographic Meridian; NGS-106067R-23); REGOLIFE (Italian Space Agency (ASI); ASI N.: 2024-7-U.0).

For more details, see: Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Laboratory

The students involved in this research topic will learn how an interdisciplinary approach involving engineering and biology can provide solutions for bioregenerative systems and life support in extreme, extraterrestrial environments. [PI(s): Angeloni, Romano - Location(s): Pontedera, Pisa]

Project(s): REGOLIFE (ASI, DC-DSR-UVS-2022-375).

Efforts will be oriented to the design of intelligent robots for healthcare (e.g., AI-driven assistive/collaborative medical robots) and mesoscale devices (e.g., endoluminal capsules and catheters) for enhanced and minimally-invasive diagnostic/therapeutic procedures and other healthcare-oriented tasks, toward a preventive, predictive, participatory and personalized paradigm in medicine. [PI(s): Ciuti - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): ODIN (H2020, GA:101017331); MANiBOT (Grant agreement ID: 101120823); INTELLI-INGEST (Grant agreement ID: 101169012).

For more details, see: Healthcare Mechatronics Laboratory

The students involved in this research topic will focus on the design, control, and application of dexterous artificial hands for prosthetic and robotic manipulation. In addition, we study manual dexterity, and advanced control strategies enabling semi-autonomous systems to operate alongside humans. [PI(s): Controzzi - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): CALLIOPE (PRIN 2022); Fit4Med (MUR (PNC)); Tuscany Health Ecosystem (MUR (PNRR)).

For more details, see: Human-Robot-Interaction Laboratory

The students will conduct activities in which the research methodology incorporates cell and molecular biology to investigate the mechanisms of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction at the cellular level. This activity also aims to understand how defects in force transmission occur within cells and what their consequences may be. [PI(s): Angeloni - Location(s): Pontedera, Pisa]

Project(s): VISION (PRIN 2022FLXS8T); AQUARIUS (ASI DC/DSR/UVS/2023/138).

For more details, see: Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology

This research topic focuses on developing microscopic robotic systems with advanced functionalities, including autonomous or teleoperated navigation, shape morphing, and controlled task execution. Leveraging magnetic manipulation, smart materials, and synthetic biology, these microrobots are designed to operate in complex in-body environments, interact with tissues, and perform targeted therapeutic and diagnostic tasks beyond conventional drug delivery, advancing toward clinical applications. [PI(s): Iacovacci, Palagi - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): I-BOT (Horizon Europe, GA: 101162939); BIOENACT (HORIZON, GA: 101293123).

For more details, see: Medical Microrobotics Lab, Microscale Robotics Laboratory

The students involved in this research topic will target the engineering of an artificial tactile sense in parallel to the investigation of human touch, integrating transducers, implementing neuromorphic strategies, developing wearable and medical devices, and running behavioural protocols to characterize tactile perception and physiopathological conditions of humans. [PI(s): Oddo, Filosa - Location(s): Pontedera, Pisa]

Project(s): ADJOINT2 (INAIL); Proximity Care (Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca); PNRR A-ROGER (Next Generation EU, NRRP, Italian Ministry for Health).

For more details, see: Neuro-Robotic Touch Laboratory

The students involved in this research activity will participate in developing an entirely new anti-cancer paradigm. Using a bioelectronic medicine approach, we aim to modulate the release of neurotransmitters from specific target nerves to control the tumor microenvironment, in order to effectively combat cancer growth. [PI(s): Angeloni, Micera, Redolfi Riva, Mazzoni, Meneghetti - Location(s): Pontedera, Pisa]

Project(s): ELMO (FPS 2024); GENTE (Fondazione Intesa San Paolo).

For more details, see: Debora Angeloni personal webpage

The students involved in this research topic will focus on biomaterials, cell cultures, biophysical stimulation tools and a series of supporting technologies for tissue engineering, tissue healing and regenerative medicine, as well as mechatronic technologies for the development of implantable artificial organs and other medical devices. [PI(s): Ricotti, Cafarelli, Pucci, Vannozzi - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): REBORN (HORIZON, GA:101091852); BioMeld (HORIZON, GA:101070328); ImmUniverse (H2020, GA:853995); MIO-PRO2 (INAIL, GA:PR23-CR-P1); WOUND (INAIL, GA:PR23-CR-P2).

For more details, see: Regenerative Technologies Lab

Students will investigate robotic materials, smart composites operating through distributed control for programmable behavior. The research targets integrated shape morphing and stiffness tuning to achieve adaptive, multifunctional performance, such as robotic fitting mechanisms. Actuation units enabling 2D-to-3D transformations will be embedded in modular architectures, with mechanical computing explored to govern mechano-morphing responses. [PI(s): Paternò, Menciassi - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): eLiner (INAIL, GA: PR23-PAI-P2); IBRIS (MUR (FIS)).

For more details, see: Linda Paterno' personal webpage

The students will focus on the development of novel numerical techniques in the area of scientific machine learning and advanced model order reduction techniques, with environmental and biomedical applications. The specific research topics include: scientific machine learning, development of intrusive and non-intrusive model reduction techniques, computational fluid dynamics, inverse problems, uncertainty quantification/optimization. [PI(s): Stabile - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): ERC StG DANTE (ERC, GA: 101115741).

For more details, see: SMART Lab

Students will focus on advanced design, modeling, and fabrication of soft actuators, compliant sensors, and flexible mechanisms, integrating enabling technologies into complete soft robotic systems. The research investigates how deformability and nonlinear properties encode physical intelligence, supporting adaptive behavior across applications in surgical robotics, artificial organs, assistive systems, and human–robot collaboration. [PI(s): Cianchetti, Laschi, Maselli - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): AInCP (HORIZON, GA:101057309); SoftGrip (H2020, GA:101017054); ARISE (HORIZON, GA: 101135959); SWAG (HORIZON, GA: 101120408); SOFTNESS (PRIN22); VENART (JUMP 203 - PNRR); LARYNX (Fondazione Terzo Pilastro).

For more details, see: Soft Mechatronics for BioRobotics Laboratory

Students will investigate supernumerary robots, wearable systems that augment human motor abilities. Research will advance mechanical design, control strategies, and human–robot integration to minimize interference with natural movement, cognition, and coordination. Topics include shared and adaptive control, biomechanical modeling, intention decoding, wearable sensing, and validation during activities of daily living. [PI(s): Proietti - Location(s): Milano]

For more details, see: Soft NeuroBionics Lab

Through this research line, students will address the critical bottleneck of energy autonomy by working towards self-sustaining sensors and robots that harvest energy directly from their environment. Exploiting environmental energy sources, active materials, and living systems (like plants), they will study how to use materials’ properties, tailored electronics, and biological systems interfaced with artificial systems. [PI(s): Meder - Location(s): Pontedera, Pisa]

Project(s): EpiC (ERC CoG - ID: 101124721).

For more details, see: Surface Phenomena and Integrated Systems Lab

The students involved in this research topic will study and develop innovative building blocks (sensors, actuators, smart components) and robotic solutions for minimally and non-invasive surgery, artificial biorobotic organs, and targeted interventions. They will design and validate models, components and robots to cope with the challenges of in body machines as well as surgical and interventional robotics. [PI(s): Menciassi, Iacovacci, Paternò - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): IBRIS (MUR (FIS)); SURF-UP (MUR (FISA and PRIN)); eLiner (INAIL, GA: PR23-PAI-P2).

For more details, see: Surgical Robotics and Allied Technologies Area

This research focuses on robotic technologies enhancing human motion and perception. Students will develop textile-based sensors and actuators, and explore innovative human–machine interfaces and sensory feedback strategies to support individuals with sensorimotor impairments. The goal is to integrate technology with the body, restoring dignity and promoting functional independence. [PI(s): Cappello - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): MUSE (ERC StG - GA 101116249); HandEval (INAIL - GA PR23-SV-P1).

For more details, see: Textile Robotics Lab

Students will conduct research on wearable technologies for movement replacement, assistance, augmentation, and rehabilitation. Activities include designing lower-limb prostheses, hand exoskeletons, and limb exosuits integrating smart mechanical solutions and advanced control. Work spans hardware and software development, clinical trials, and quantitative human–robot interaction studies using advanced biomechanical analysis tools. [PI(s): Vitiello, Crea, Trigili - Location(s): Pontedera]

Project(s): Fit4MedRob (MUR (PNRR)); Proximity Care (Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca); HandEval (INAIL - GA PR23-SV-P1); BioARMnext (INAIL - GA PR23-RR-P3).

For more details, see: Wearable Robotics Laboratory