Explore how advanced robotics, soft actuators, and intuitive haptic interfaces are revolutionizing healthcare, rehabilitation, and industrial environments through collaborative human-robot teaming. In this episode, Professor Mihai Dragusanu shares insights into developing wearable exoskeletons, integrating AI for intention detection, and envisioning the future of multi-agent robotics.Key topics

• The evolution from rigid to soft exoskeletons and their benefits for usability and safety
• The role of AI and advanced sensors in understanding human intentions
• The importance of haptic feedback for trust and control in human-robot interaction
• Modular and customizable robotic systems for personalized rehabilitation
• Future perspectives on environment-aware exoskeletons communicating with other cobots and humans
• The societal impact of wearable robotics: from disability mitigation to superhuman capabilities
• Reusing design principles like AI integration across various robotic applications
• The vision of collaborative, community-based rehabilitation and industrial work environments
• Philosophical implications of technology extending human abilities beyond disabilities

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Professor Mihai Dragusanu and the theme of human-robot teaming

02:41 - Mihai’s research background in exoskeletons and soft robotics

04:37 - Achievements and recognition at ICRA for innovative exoskeleton research

07:01 - Core enabling technologies: sensors, actuators, and adaptive algorithms

09:02 - How personal disability experiences drive Mihai’s research focus

11:18 - Transition from rigid to soft exoskeletons and the development of twist string actuators

14:41 - Combining soft and rigid elements for powerful, lightweight exoskeletons

17:25 - Disabling vs. augmenting capabilities through wearable technology

19:17 - The significance of intuitive haptic interfaces for trust and control

20:09 - Personal experience with haptic feedback during robotic demonstrations

26:37 - Rehabilitation applications: modular, personalized, AI-driven exoskeletons

29:13 - Tele-rehabilitation and AI for intent recognition in therapy

31:20 - Wearable haptics and tactile feedback in healthcare and industrial tasks

33:04 - Future visions: environment-aware, multi-user, and community-based exoskeleton systems

35:44 - Shifting paradigms from one-to-one to many-to-many human-robot collaboration

40:20 - Envisioning a future where disabilities are integrated into the technological fabric of society

43:01 - Final reflections and upcoming collaborations, including conferences and esteemed colleaguesResources & Links

• Domenico Praticizzo - Collaborator

Connect with Mihai Dragusanu

• LinkedIn

This episode delves into cutting-edge research, philosophical reflections, and future visions that underscore the transformative potential of collaborative robotics rooted in soft, intuitive, and adaptive systems. Whether in healthcare or industry, the message is clear: technology today aims to extend human capabilities and foster inclusive, dynamic, and resilient team environments.

Featured Talks

Prof. Dr. Dr. habil. Dmitry Ivanov

• “Supply chain simulation, agentic AI and digital twins: from theory to use cases and implementation blueprints”

Prof. Monica Malvezzi

• “The Role Of Simulation In The Design Of Wearable Robotic Devices: A Human-Centered Perspective With Modular Gloves And Twisted String Actuators”

Prof. Filippo Sanfilippo and Cecilia Scoccia

• “Imitation Learning For Human–robot Teaming In Battery Disassembly: Enabling Technologies and a Collaborative Manipulation Pipeline”

What You’ll Learn

• How simulation supports resilient and intelligent supply chains
• Why digital twins and agentic AI are becoming central to implementation blueprints
• How human-centered design informs the next generation of wearable robotic devices
• How imitation learning can enable human-robot teaming in complex disassembly tasks
• The broader role of modeling and simulation in advancing Industry 4.0 and beyond

Conference Context

This episode is connected to the proceedings of the

40th ECMS International Conference on Modelling and Simulation, Grimstad, Norway, June 23rd to 26th, 2026.

Credits

ECMS

Join us in this inspiring episode where art meets AI, as Cristina Lazăr shares her visionary projects that integrate creativity, emotion, and advanced technology. Discover how her innovative work is reshaping human-machine interactions and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Main Topics Covered:

• The intersection of art, science, and artificial intelligence in contemporary projects
• How sensors, lights, and neural networks allow art to respond to human emotions
• The concept of emotional loops in human-robot teaming and non-verbal communication
• The project "Paint with Me" as an example of real-time, multisensory artistic engagement
• The philosophical and spiritual dimensions of creating art as a service to humanity
• Future perspectives on human-robot collaboration and emotion sharing in AI

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Cristina Lazăr and her artistic environment

00:48 - Connecting art, science, and AI through human-robot teaming

01:33 - Cristina Lazăr’s background as an artist and researcher in human-AI interaction

02:48 - Cristina’s previous projects and recent exhibitions in Norway

03:53 - Collaborations with European robotics communities and other scientists

05:10 - The "Maya" project: non-verbal, real-time communication system

06:25 - Artwork as an interactive, sensorized entity that responds to human emotions

07:54 - The integration of mathematics, algorithms, and art in Cristina’s practice

09:34 - The role of emotion, expression, and trust in AI-enabled art

11:06 - The use of convolutional neural networks to make paintings "see" and respond

12:48 - Art as a mirror of the human soul and the importance of tactile interaction

14:20 - Elevating traditional art techniques with multisensory, sensor-based technology

16:48 - The significance of non-verbal languages, mirroring, and emotion recognition

18:08 - Neural networks and AI systems perceiving and reacting to human gestures

19:01 - The importance of trust, presence, and acknowledgment in human-AI interactions

21:42 - Summarizing Cristina’s vision: eyes, brain, and emotion in art

23:46 - The "Paint with Me" project and the fusion of classical painting with AI-driven responses

25:17 - Cultural and historical allusions, like the civilization of Maya, in human-AI emotional exchange

27:08 - The potential to use sensors and AI for emotion detection and adaptation in art

28:40 - The role of art and AI in creating meaningful stories connected to our past and future

30:36 - Art as a tool to evoke emotions and reflect the human condition

35:47 - The journey from curiosity to mastery in art and robotics over decades

38:50 - Returning to non-verbal, embodied, and multi-sensory forms of communication in art and research

41:50 - The philosophical insights: art, research, and the human soul as expressions of the divine

44:55 - The evolution of the expression of human feelings through neural networks and AI

48:50 - Vision for future human-robot teaming: sharing feelings, physical collaboration, and emotional resonance

53:29 - The spiritual dimension in Cristina Lazăr’s work: love, life, and connection to the universe

54:42 - Closing thoughts: art as a divine act, inspiration, and ongoing collaboration

Connect with Cristina Lazăr:

• Youtube
• Instagram
• Personal Website

This episode celebrates the harmony between creativity and technology, and how emotional intelligence shapes the future of human-robot collaboration. Expect insights into how art can serve as a bridge to understanding ourselves and each other in this evolving digital era.

Join Professor Filippo Sanfilippo as he takes a guided tour of an exciting robotics exhibition at ICRA 2026 in Vienna, Austria. This special episode showcases groundbreaking demonstrations and cutting-edge research from leading experts in robotics, human-robot interaction, and AI-driven automation.

Featured Guests & Highlights:

• Syed Kumayl Raza Moosavi presents the work alongside Muhammad Hamza Zafar and Filippo Sanfilippo on "Neuromorphic Event Camera-Based Object Recognition and Grasping Position Detection Using a Transfer Learning-Enhanced Multi-Task Model" (IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2025).
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syed-kumayl-raza-moosavi-38b224125/
• Pietro Balatti demonstrates a markerless motion capture system, highlighting advances in real-time human movement tracking.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pietrobalatti/
• Erik Ballesteros showcases Super Libs and Human Augmentation technologies, exploring the frontier of collaborative robotics.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-ballesteros-9aa25b78/
• Website: https://thefalcoguy.github.io/
• Kentaro Barhydt presents Loop Closure Grasping, detailing a paradigm for strong, gentle, and versatile robotic grasps. Relevant works include:
• Website: https://www.kentarobarhydt.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentarobarhydt/
• First inciting work: A High-Strength, Highly-Flexible Robotic Strap for Harnessing, Lifting, and Transferring Humans (RA-L) – IEEE Xplore
• Official Loop Closure Grasping presentation: Loop closure grasping: Topological transformations enable strong, gentle, and versatile grasps (Science Advances) – Science Advances
• Growing sling design: Mechanically Programming the Cross-Sectional Shape of Soft Growing Robotic Structures for Patient Transfer (IROS) – IEEE Xplore
• MIT Press Release: https://news.mit.edu/2025/vine-inspired-robotic-gripper-gently-lifts-heavy-and-fragile-objects-1210
• Francesco Ferro, President of EuRobotics and CEO/co-founder of PAL Robotics, shares his perspective on the future of human-robot collaboration and innovation in industrial and service robotics.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-ferro-88791a1/?skipRedirect=true

What You’ll Learn:

• How neuromorphic event cameras improve robotic perception for object recognition and grasping.
• The latest in markerless motion capture for natural human-robot interaction.
• Strategies for enhancing human capabilities using collaborative robotic systems.
• The Loop Closure Grasping paradigm and its applications in safe, gentle, and versatile object handling.
• Insights from top robotics leaders on the future of automation and human-robot teaming.

Event Details:

• Location: Vienna, Austria
• Conference: IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2026)
• Dates: June 1–5, 2026

Tune in to experience the intersection of research, innovation, and real-world robotics demonstrations, all captured during this premier robotics event.

In this episode of Among Us, Human-Robot Teaming, we sit down with robotics pioneer Professor Paolo Fiorini to discuss the evolution of robotic autonomy, ethics, and the future of collaboration between humans and machines. Discover his insights on surgical robotics, trust in AI, and the role of simulation and haptics in advancing human-robot interaction.

Main Topics:

• The progression from isolated industrial robots to collaborative human-robot teaming
• The role of autonomy levels, from teleoperation to autonomous systems
• Challenges of trust, safety, and ethics in AI and robotics
• Innovations in surgical robotics and the significance of tactile/haptic feedback
• Future perspectives on specialized AI tools and the importance of simulation

Timestamps:00:45 - Introduction to Professor Fiorini and his pioneering work in robotics

01:27 - Biographical overview of Professor Fiorini's career and achievements

02:18 - Bridging theoretical control and real-world application through robotics

03:16 - Key projects: surgical robotics: autonomy, safety, and certification

04:43 - The rise of Needle Eye Robotics in prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy

05:42 - The evolution of human-robot interaction and physical collaboration

07:11 - From segregated robots to immersive teaming: autonomy levels’ progression

08:38 - Telerobotics, telepresence, and the early days of autonomy in robotics

09:37 - AI development stages and risks: from neural networks to semantic control

10:55 - Shared control and the importance of reciprocal trust in human-robot interaction

12:29 - Ethical challenges in AI: emerging misbehavior and training data issues

13:52 - Control theory versus machine learning: stability and adaptability in robotics

14:19 - Ethical dilemmas and decision-making transparency in autonomous systems

15:14 - The practical limits of AI in safety-critical applications like surgery

16:21 - Mechanical constraints: managing the challenge of safe AI deployment

17:51 - The slow pace of legislative and standardization updates in robotics

19:05 - Advances in surgical robotics and autonomous assistance in interventions

20:14 - Data availability as a barrier in robotic surgery AI development

23:12 - Modeling complex surgical procedures with logic-based systems

25:33 - The unpredictability and creativity of human surgeons versus AI

26:37 - The use of haptics and tactile feedback in medical robotics

28:42 - The debate on force feedback benefits and user adaptation

30:16 - The significance of tactile sensing for learning, especially in soft tissues

33:09 - Challenges of sensory integration and synchronization in multi-modal feedback

35:14 - Future of AI: focused, reliable tools over general artificial intelligence

37:27 - Simulation as a trust-building tool and explanation of robotic actions

38:25 - Limitations of simulation in personalized medicine and soft tissue modeling

39:49 - AI in prostate cancer diagnosis: small steps with high societal impact

40:54 - The importance of balanced, practical solutions for human-robot collaboration

41:46 - The ongoing challenge of connecting generations and sharing experience

42:52 - Closing thoughts from Professor Fiorini and upcoming conferences.

Connect with Professor Fiorini:

• LinkedIn

Additional Notes:

• The episode highlights the importance of focusing research on specific, impactful problems rather than pursuing overly broad AI goals.
• The conversation emphasizes the ethical, safety, and explainability challenges in deploying AI and robotics in healthcare and other critical fields.
• The integration of simulation and tactile feedback remains a key area for future research, especially in soft tissue robotics.

In this episode, Filippo Sanfilippo hosts Omar Serghini, a PhD researcher specializing in speech emotion recognition, spectrum sensing, and neuromorphic cameras, to discuss the future of human-robot teaming. They delve into how emotional awareness through speech and visual cues can transform collaborative AI systems, especially in healthcare and social contexts.

Key Topics:

• The role of speech-emotional recognition in enhancing human-robot interaction
• How prosody and vocal cues inform a robot’s understanding of human emotions
• Spectrum sensing as a parallel for decision-making under uncertainty in robotics
• The emergence of neuromorphic (event-based) cameras for dynamic scene perception
• Moving from static to dynamic interaction through high-temporal-resolution sensors
• Building multi-channel emotion recognition integrating speech, vision, and context
• Challenges and ethical considerations in developing empathetic machines
• Future prospects of AI in healthcare, elderly care, and emergency rescue scenarios
• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for advancing emotional AI

Timestamps:

00:45 - Introduction to Omar Serghini and his research background

01:31 - The importance of emotional detection in human-robot teaming

02:58 - Speech emotion recognition: what it is and why it matters

05:15 - Using vocal cues like tone and rhythm to gauge confidence and hesitation

06:39 - How emotion detection helps robots adapt behavior and ensure safety

08:07 - The evolution of human-robot interaction from command-based to peer-like relationships

10:09 - Spectrum sensing as a metaphor for decision-making in robotics under uncertainty

12:15 - Robustness in noisy environments: lessons from spectrum sensing applied to robotics

16:11 - The role of neuromorphic (event-based) cameras in real-time emotion perception

17:39 - How event-based vision captures fast, subtle changes for dynamic interaction

22:53 - Integrating multiple sensory channels for a richer understanding of human emotions

25:21 - The potential and limitations of robotic empathy in social and care settings

27:22 - Ethical and cultural considerations in emotion recognition technology

28:47 - Challenges and future directions for emotion-aware AI in healthcare and safety

35:23 - Final thoughts on multidisciplinary collaboration and the future of emotional AI

Resources & Links:

• Serghini, O., Serrano, S., Semlali, H., & Maali, A. (2024, September). Robust DNN-Enabled Cooperative Spectrum Sensing. In 2024 International Conference on Software, Telecommunications and Computer Networks (SoftCOM) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.@

Connect with Omar Serghini:

• LinkedIn

Note:

This episode emphasizes the importance of integrating multiple sensory modalities for emotionally intelligent human-robot interactions and highlights ongoing interdisciplinary efforts to bring empathetic AI closer to human behavior.

Key Topics:

• Evolution of human-robot interaction from isolation to collaboration
• The role of sensors, wearables, and environmental context in human activity recognition
• Challenges in data quality, AI modeling, and system safety for healthcare applications
• The concept of robots as lifelong companions and lifelong learners
• Future scenarios: robots as learning partners, safety enforcers, and co-evolving entities

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to human-robot teaming and interview guest Professor Florenc Demrozi

01:16 - The historical transition from isolated robots to collaborative human-robot interaction

02:13 - The progression towards physical collaboration and shared space in human-robot teaming

02:43 - Recognizing human activity and intent through sensing and AI

03:12 - The importance of understanding human status within physical and environmental contexts

04:08 - How ubiquitous sensors and multi-modal data fusion advance healthcare robotics

05:10 - Applications in healthcare: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, disabilities, and aging population challenges

09:17 - Robots in assisted living: coaching, teaching, and digital therapeutics

11:10 - Empowering the elderly: training and maintaining independence with robots

12:40 - Robots as lifelong companions, physical helpers, and co-learners

14:08 - Challenges of trust, reliability, safety, and real-time collaboration in human-robot teaming

15:02 - Controlling and ensuring safety of robots via constraints and innovative actuators

16:00 - Developing intrinsically safe and elastic actuators like human muscles

17:25 - Data quality, sensor noise, and AI model generalization challenges

20:50 - Regulatory hurdles and the necessity of validation for medical applications

21:51 - Generalization across different environments, sensors, and users

23:21 - Envisioning the future: robots as lifelong learning partners and companions

24:25 - The concept of the lifelong learning digital companion evolving with users

26:25 - Knowledge exchange between humans and machines, and eventual AI surpassing human knowledge in specific tasks

27:24 - Digital coaching systems: recognizing and blocking risky behaviors

28:22 - The vision of humans and robots as equal, continuously evolving partners

29:07 - The role of curiosity and ongoing research in advancing human-robot teaming

29:44 - Closing thoughts and a special message for the next generation of researchers

Resources & Links:

• Florenc Demrozi - University of Stavanger

Connect with Professor Florenc Demrozi:

• LinkedIn

Key Topics:

1. The bio-inspired design and modular structure of snake robots
2. Applications in space exploration, search and rescue, and disaster environments
3. How snake robots use terrain-aided locomotion and obstacle-aware navigation (POLl framework)
4. Multi-robot systems integrating UAVs and snake robots for efficient aid delivery
5. Future challenges: terrain adaptability, sensor integration, and real-world deployment
6. Techniques for simulating and optimizing locomotion across varied friction surfaces
7. Vision for human-robot teaming and autonomous decision-making in critical scenarios

Timestamps:

1. (00:46) - Introduction to among us: human-robot teaming in disaster scenarios
2. (01:25) - Why bio-inspired snake robots? Flexibility and navigability benefits
3. (02:24) - Biological traits inspiring robotic design; multi-environment adaptability
4. (03:17) - Unique capabilities of snake robots in space exploration
5. (04:16) - Snake robots in search and rescue: navigating debris and collapsed structures
6. (08:03) - Modular design and skin imitation for terrain adaptability
7. (09:29) - Using snake robots across disaster phases: preparedness, response, recovery
8. (12:27) - Autonomous assessment and aid delivery with heterogeneous robot teams
9. (16:16) - Combining grasping, navigation, and aid dispatch in rescue operations
10. (20:37) - Prototype development challenges: skin mimicking and multi-terrain locomotion
11. (25:45) - Transfer from simulation to real-life deployment: friction and terrain transitions
12. (29:28) - Future of snake robotics in planetary exploration and low-light environments
13. (31:50) - The POLL framework and perception-driven obstacle-aided locomotion
14. (33:17) - Advancing sensory and planning capabilities for complex tasks
15. (34:14) - Collaborative opportunities and upcoming discussions on snake robotics
16. (35:01) - Final reminder and closing remarks

Resources & Links:

1. Filippo Sanfilippo, Jon Azpiazu, Giancarlo Marafioti, Aksel A. Transeth, Øyvind Stavdahl, and Pål Liljebäck. 2017. "Perception-Driven Obstacle-Aided Locomotion for Snake Robots: The State of the Art, Challenges and Possibilities" Applied Sciences 7, no. 4: 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/app7040336.
2. Filippo Sanfilippo, Erlend Helgerud, Per Anders Stadheim, and Sondre Lieblein Aronsen. 2019. "Serpens: A Highly Compliant Low-Cost ROS-Based Snake Robot with Series Elastic Actuators, Stereoscopic Vision and a Screw-Less Assembly Mechanism" Applied Sciences 9, no. 3: 396. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9030396.
3. Filippo Sanfilippo. "Combining grasping with adaptive path following and locomotion for modular snake robots." International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research 11, no. 2 (2022): 59-65.
4. Filippo Sanfilippo, Øyvind Stavdahl, and Pål Liljebäck. "SnakeSIM: A ROS-based rapid-prototyping framework for perception-driven obstacle-aided locomotion of snake robots." In 2017 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO), pp. 1226-1231. IEEE, 2017.
5. Syed Kumayl Raza Moosavi, Muhammad Hamza Zafar, and Filippo Sanfilippo. "Collaborative robots (cobots) for disaster risk resilience: a framework for swarm of snake robots in delivering first aid in emergency situations." Frontiers in Robotics and AI 11 (2024): 1362294. doi: 10.3389/frobt.2024.1362294.
6. Askan Duivon, Pino Kirsch, Boris Mauboussin, Gabriel Mougard, Jakub Woszczyk, and Filippo Sanfilippo. "The redesigned serpens, a low-cost, highly compliant snake robot." Robotics 11, no. 2 (2022): 42.
7. Inaki Rañó, A. Gómez Eguíluz, and Filippo Sanfilippo. "Bridging the gap between bio-inspired steering and locomotion: A braitenberg 3a snake robot." In 2018 15th International Conference on Control, Automation, Robotics and Vision (ICARCV), pp. 1394-1399. IEEE, 2018.

Connect with Kumail Raza:

1. LinkedIn

Note:

For more detailed research papers and collaboration inquiries, visit the research group's official site here.

Main Topics Discussed:

1. The influence of passion, especially football and culture, on robotics innovation
2. The concept of human-robot teaming and shared autonomy
3. Barriers, standards, and the global landscape of robotics development
4. The ethical and societal implications of technological progress
5. Inspirational advice for future generations of researchers

In this episode:

1. Professor Siciliano recounts his lifelong passion for Napoli football and its influence on his creativity
2. Insight into the potential of collaborative autonomy and the balance between control and compliance
3. Examples of unexpected applications of robotics, from fashion industry to surgical tools
4. The importance of cultural, societal, and international perspectives in shaping robotics standards
5. Personal stories of mentorship, international cooperation, and the responsibility of future innovators
6. The vision of a seamless, human-centered future powered by physical AI and hyper-connectivity

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Professor Siciliano's impact in robotics

01:13 - The significance of his research and cultural background

02:33 - Passion for football and its influence on engineering creativity

03:43 - The role of adrenaline and emotional engagement in research and teaching

05:03 - The social and cultural insights from stadium visits across Europe

06:44 - Creativity inspired by local city culture and its impact on innovations

09:14 - The story behind the ERC grant and the pizza robot demonstrator

11:44 - Robotics as a societally inspired pursuit rooted in cultural identity

12:45 - The sociological dimension of human-robot interaction in urban environments

13:14 - Gesticulation, cultural behaviors, and AI training datasets

14:43 - The importance of sensory development and education in human evolution

15:42 - Interdisciplinary approaches and cross-fertilization between robotics and other fields

16:09 - Teaching beyond textbooks: inspiring the next generation

18:11 - Student assessments, ethics in education, and the value of understanding concepts

20:14 - The role of AI and accessible knowledge in democratizing robotics

22:29 - The founding of the "Technology Humanism" initiative and societal responsibilities

23:51 - Creativity as a driver for research and the symbolic link to soccer

24:37 - Imagining robots playing soccer and rethinking human-robot interaction

25:14 - Supporting and connecting people across disciplines for innovative collaborations

33:42 - The potential of joint human-robot creative endeavors and storytelling

34:00 - The importance of shared control and the blending roles in human-robot teaming

50:53 - The balance between control, safety, and social acceptability in robots

54:43 - The emerging era of diverse robotic systems beyond humanoids

59:34 - The future of design, control, and integration in robotics

60:00 - The establishment of Stanford’s new Robotics Center and the pillars of modern robotics

61:10 - The four pillars: Knowledge, Design, Interaction, Impact

65:21 - Shared emotions, the human side of robotics, and the euphoria of technological progress

66:15 - Barriers to human-robot teaming and strategies to overcome them

70:38 - Unexpected applications of robotics (surgical, industrial, assistive)

75:29 - Enabling new applications, from virtual guides to assistive devices

79:31 - Rethinking the human-robot relationship and the evolution of “robots” into collaborative partners

82:29 - Standards, regulations, and international differences in robotics development

90:22 - The potential of robotics to bridge cultural and societal gaps

94:08 - The importance of interdisciplinary and international cooperation for future progress

99:50 - Visions of the future: technological, emotional, and societal changes in the next decades

104:37 - The responsibility of today’s scientists and engineers to preserve emotional and cultural legacies

115:41 - Final reflections: inspiring the next generation to dream bigger and collaborate globally

Resources & Links:

1. Even Falkenberg Langås, Muhammad Hamza Zafar, and Filippo Sanfilippo. "Exploring the synergy of human-robot teaming, digital twins, and machine learning in Industry 5.0: a step towards sustainable manufacturing." Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 37, no. 3 (2026): 999-1022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-025-02580-x.
2. Filippo Sanfilippo, Timothy Wiley, and Rebekah Rousi. "Robocup soccer autonomy uprising: How crowds, referees, and humanoid robots are redefining the future of human-robot interaction." In 2025 20th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), pp. 1131-1139. IEEE, 2025. doi: https://10.1109/HRI61500.2025.10974154.
3. Filippo Sanfilippo, Muhammad Hamza Zafar, Timothy Wiley, and Fabio Zambetta. "From caged robots to high-fives in robotics: Exploring the paradigm shift from human–robot interaction to human–robot teaming in human–machine interfaces." Journal of Manufacturing Systems 78 (2025): 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2024.10.015.

Connect with Professor Siciliano:

1. LinkedIn

This episode encapsulates the synergy between passion, culture, and scientific curiosity, demonstrating that the future of robotics is fundamentally human-centered and inspired by shared dreams and responsibilities.

This is not theory. This is what robotics actually looks like today.

🎤 Who You’ll Hear in This Episode

🔹 Opening Perspective: The Vision Behind ERF

We start with Nabil Belbachir, organizer of ERF, discussing:

1. The strategic direction of robotics in Europe
2. Where industry and research are actually converging
3. Why events like ERF matter beyond networking

🔹 Bio-Inspired Flight & Flapping Drones

Next, a fascinating discussion with Matěj Karásek from Flapper Drones:

1. How flapping-wing drones differ from traditional UAVs
2. The role of bio-inspired design in robotics
3. Real-world applications where conventional drones fail

🔹 Precision Haptics & Human Interaction

We then speak with Marco Aggravi, Project Manager and R&D Engineer at Haption:

1. High-fidelity force feedback systems
2. The role of haptics in teleoperation and training
3. Why touch is still the missing piece in many robotic systems

🔹 Live Demo: Immersive Interaction with SenseGlove

A hands-on demo with SenseGlove showcases:

1. Real-time haptic feedback in virtual and robotic environments
2. Applications in training, simulation, and remote manipulation
3. The transition from demo tech → deployable systems

🔹 Research Spotlight: Human Trajectory Prediction

The episode concludes with a presentation of the paper:

“Transformer-Based Human Trajectory Prediction in Manufacturing Settings”

Authored by:

1. Even Langås
2. Atle Aalerud
3. Daniel Hagen
4. Filippo Sanfilippo

Key ideas explored:

1. Predicting human motion in industrial environments
2. Using transformer architectures for temporal modeling
3. Improving safety and fluency in human–robot collaboration

🧠 What Connects All of This?

At first glance, these look like separate topics:

1. Event organization
2. Bio-inspired drones
3. Haptics
4. Wearable interfaces
5. AI-based trajectory prediction

They’re not.

They all point toward one thing:

👉 Robots that understand, adapt, and physically interact with humans in real environments

⚙️ The Real Insight (No Sugarcoating)

Most robotics systems today:

1. Perceive poorly
2. Predict weakly
3. Interact unnaturally

This episode shows what it takes to fix that:

1. Better sensing (event cameras, multimodal systems)
2. Better prediction (transformers, temporal models)
3. Better interaction (haptics, wearable feedback)

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

1. Robotics researchers and PhD students
2. Engineers working on HRI/HRC systems
3. Anyone serious about moving from demos → deployable systems

🚀 Final Takeaway

If you want real human–robot teaming, you need to combine:

1. Perception + Prediction + Physical Interaction

Miss one—and your system breaks in the real world.

Key Topics:

1. The evolving definition and importance of human-robot teaming
2. Bilateral and multi-modal communication channels, especially touch
3. The biological basis and engineering of tactile feedback in robotics
4. Synergies and compliance in robotic hand control
5. The concept of augmentation: from sixth fingers to assistive robotics
6. Transition from prototypes to commercialization with companies like Sixto
7. Challenges in sensor development, including robust e-skin technology
8. Ethical considerations and societal implications of robotics revolution
9. The future trajectory of AI-powered multisensory integration

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to human-robot teaming and its significance

02:25 - Defining human-robot collaboration in a rapidly evolving context

03:49 - The bilateral communication channel for effective teaming

04:54 - Moving towards balanced human-robot interactions

07:15 - The role of touch and tactile feedback in communication

08:44 - How biological tactile interactions inspire robotic hand design

10:08 - The importance of emotional and functional touch in humans

11:17 - Using touch for guidance irrespective of sight and hearing impairments

12:44 - Historical overview of sensory technology, focusing on touch

14:24 - The revolutionary potential of recording and reproducing tactile interactions

15:44 - The integration of multiple senses and multisensory teaming

17:15 - Manipulation synergies and brain-inspired control strategies

18:47 - Simplifying control through synergies and compliance in robotics

20:16 - The concept of invisible threads and brain's organization of hand movements

21:39 - The brain's management of hand complexity and use of compliance

23:50 - The impact of synergy and compliance on collaborative manipulation

26:01 - Exploring augmentation: the story of the sixth finger

28:52 - Assistive robotics: aiding stroke patients with robotic augmentations

31:47 - The pathway from prototypes to commercial products (e.g., Sixto)

34:25 - Scaling devices for education and medical training

35:23 - Main barriers and future challenges for human-robot teaming

37:40 - Sensor technology limitations and future directions

39:50 - The importance of standards, safety, and societal acceptance

42:14 - The societal impact, fears, and opportunities of robotics revolution

44:57 - Cross-disciplinary collaboration and the role of AI in sensor networks

46:16 - Final thoughts and encouragement for active engagement in the field

Resources & Links:

1. Domenico Prattichizzo's research group
2. ImmersiveSurgicalEdu

Connect with Gionata Salvietti:

1. LinkedIn

Research Articles:

1. Filippo Sanfilippo, Gionata Salvietti, Tomas Blazauskas, Guido Gabriele, Maria Zafar, Minh Tuan Hua, Muhammad Hamza Zafar, Syed Kumayl Raza Moosavi, Patrikas Armalis, Mohammad Poursina, Povilas Ignatavicius, Andrejus Subocius, Audrius Parseliunas, Ernest Margelis. “Integrating VR, AR, and haptics in basic surgical skills training: a review and perspective.” IEEE Access (2025), doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3574265.
2. Filippo Sanfilippo, Tomas Blazauskas, Gionata Salvietti, Isabel Ramos, Silviu Vert, Jaziar Radianti, Tim A. Majchrzak, and Daniel Oliveira. 2022. "A Perspective Review on Integrating VR/AR with Haptics into STEM Education for Multi-Sensory Learning" Robotics 11, no. 2: 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics11020041.
3. Filippo Sanfilippo, Tomas Blažauskas, Martynas Girdžiūna, Airidas Janonis, Eligijus Kiudys, and Gionata Salvietti. "A multi-modal auditory-visual-tactile e-learning framework." In International conference on intelligent technologies and applications, pp. 119-131. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10525-8_10.
4. Filippo Sanfilippo, Houxiang Zhang, Kristin Ytterstad Pettersen, Gionata Salvietti, and Domenico Prattichizzo. "ModGrasp: an open-source rapid-prototyping framework for designing low-cost sensorised modular hands." In 5th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, pp. 951-957. IEEE, 2014. doi: 10.1109/BIOROB.2014.6913903.
5. Filippo Sanfilippo, Gionata Salvietti, H. X. Zhang, Hans Petter Hildre, and Domenico Prattichizzo. "Efficient modular grasping: an iterative approach." In 2012 4th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob), pp. 1281-1286. IEEE, 2012. https://10.0.4.85/BioRob.2012.6290693.

Additional Notes:

This episode highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches—combining neuroscience, robotics, AI, and design—to address the challenges and unlock the full potential of human-robot teaming. We also discuss societal implications, ethical considerations, and the accelerating pace of technological change.

Main Topics Covered:

1. The evolution and impact of gesture-based interfaces in human-robot teaming
2. The role of neuromorphic event cameras versus traditional RGB cameras
3. Privacy-preserving techniques such as federated learning in sensor data
4. Integration of digital twins and Industry 5.0 for dynamic, human-centric environments
5. Predicting human intentions and emotional states to enhance collaboration
6. Future perspectives: robots cohabiting living spaces, especially aiding elderly people

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to "Among Us" podcast and episode theme

01:23 - High-level overview of human-robot teaming and core elements

04:16 - Hamza discusses gesture-based interfaces and sensor types

05:36 - Sensors used in human-robot interaction: RGB, EMG, neuromorphic cameras

07:18 - Privacy-preserving methods in gesture recognition using federated learning

09:09 - Differences between traditional and predictive gesture interfaces

10:54 - Real-time limb and hand tracking for improved robot responsiveness

13:40 - Merging digital twins with machine learning for Industry 5.0

16:17 - Ensuring safety and risk mitigation via digital twins

17:25 - Future visions: robots living with humans, especially the elderly

20:50 - Incorporating emotion prediction and physiological sensing

23:33 - Physiological vs non-verbal emotion recognition for adaptive systems

26:27 - The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing HRT

28:24 - Neuromorphic event cameras: how they work and their advantages

32:49 - Summary of benefits of event cameras: efficiency, privacy, low data load

34:17 - Final thoughts, collaborations, and closing remarks

Resources & Links:

1. Hamza Zafar's Scholar Profile
2. Exploring the synergies between collaborative robotics, digital twins, augmentation, and industry 5.0 for smart manufacturing: A state-of-the-art review
3. Empowering Human-Robot Interaction Using sEMG Sensor: Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Accurate Hand Gesture Recognition
4. Federated learning-enhanced edge deep learning model for EMG-based gesture recognition in real-time human–robot interaction
5. Harmony unleashed: Exploring the ethical and philosophical aspects of machine learning in human-robot collaboration for industry 5.0

Connect with Hamza:

1. LinkedIn

In this episode, we bridge the latest technological advancements with the ethical and human-centered considerations essential for safe and effective human-robot collaboration.

Key Topics

1. The evolution of human-robot interaction from isolated robots to collaborative teams
2. The role of sensors, actuators, and algorithms in enabling effective teaming
3. The importance of personalized behavioral calibration over universal models
4. Recognizing behavioral leakage and micro-expressions to interpret true emotions
5. Cognitive ergonomics: tailoring robotic communication to individual neural profiles
6. Challenges and risks of robot misinterpretation in emergency and stressful scenarios
7. Designing transparent and predictable robots to foster trust
8. The ethical implications of robots analyzing micro-expressions and emotional states
9. The vision of a future where robots recognize and respect the complex social fabric of human life
10. Bridging the "invisible barrier" and liberating both humans and machines for more harmonious coexistence

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to human-robot teaming and its significance

03:08 - Why robots need to move beyond mere automation and towards true collaboration

04:32 - The evolution from industrial robots to physical and shared space teaming

05:29 - Critical elements for effective human-robot interaction: sensors, actuators, algorithms

06:56 - The importance of humanizing robots through emotional and behavioral understanding

12:21 - The story behind naming the robot "Ambroggio" and symbolic meaning

13:43 - Identifying gaps between robotics and behavioral sciences

14:12 - Personalizing robotic responses through behavioral signatures and leakage detection

15:11 - Moving from action recognition to intent recognition in robots

16:08 - Embracing cognitive ergonomics and adapting to diverse neural profiles

18:28 - Risks of misinterpreting signals in emergency rescue environments

19:38 - Distinguishing pain vs. deception through micro-dynamic gesture analysis

20:35 - The importance of social fluency and subtle cues in high-stakes scenarios

22:27 - Defining successful human-robot non-verbal collaboration: trust, transparency, predictability

24:20 - Designing robots that display their internal states visually for better predictability

27:35 - The future potential of human-robot teaming in mental health and operational safety

29:14 - Contextual adaptive responses for social appropriateness

30:12 - The vision of robots recognizing and respecting the social fabric of human life

31:50 - Closing remarks and encouragement for ongoing collaboration

Resources & Links

1. Emotion recognition with a Randomized CNN-multihead-attention hybrid model optimized by evolutionary intelligence algorithm

Connect with Dr. Cristina Brasi:

1. LinkedIn

Join us in future episodes as we continue to unravel the fascinating intersection of human psychology, AI, and robotics. Stay tuned for more inspiring insights and innovative visions for a harmonious future of humans and robots working together.