Demos
July 17 and 18 | 9 am - 1 pm
Augmented Reality & patient-specific phantoms for surgery
University of Pisa
Technical demos consist of two activities: the first demonstrates the use of augmented reality to guide the placement of patient-specific templates in complex bone resections in a simulated surgical setup. It will be possible to interact with the template and understand the clinical implications and the importance of being able to guide the placement smoothly and accurately. The second activity involves a simulator developed for total knee arthroplasty, with 3D-printed bones and biomechanically tested ligaments, designed to faithfully reproduce the surgical field. You will be able to interact with the simulator and understand the potential offered by innovative tools for surgical training.
Vincenzo Ferrari (Professor) - vincenzo.ferrari(AT)unipi.it
Marina Carbone (Technologist) - marina.carbone (AT)unipi.it
3D innovation for tailored medical care
University of Florence
The demo features high-fidelity pediatric simulators for training in difficult intubations, tracheotomies, and thoracoscopic surgery, created with 3D printing and materials that realistically replicate anatomy and clinical dynamics. Visitors can also try a rehabilitation device for hand and upper limb, combining a serious game with pneumatic technology and sensors for personalized exercises and real-time monitoring, supporting functional recovery.
Yary Volpe (Professor) - yary.volpe(AT)unifi.it
Tactile technologies for augmented perception for multimedia contents and rehabilitation
University of Siena
The haptic totem is designed to augment audio-video digital experiences with synchronized tactile sensations. It elevates the authenticity of digital content by adding the sense of touch. When you place your hand on the plate, specifically targeting the five-finger pads and the palm, it transmits texture-based vibrations and thermal feedback. These sensations are precisely synchronized with audio-visual content, creating a full immersive experience. This synchronization is managed via a timeline-based interface.
During this demo, you will feel different textures and temperature cues, all perfectly timed with the content on screen. Users will have an increased engagement and a unique way to experience digital content.
Domenico Prattichizzo (Professor) - domenico.prattichizzo(AT)unisi.it
Tactile sensing and wearables for collaborative robotics and biomedical applications
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna
An anthropomorphic robotic arm will be presented, equipped with patches of artificial skin integrated with optical fiber sensors (Fiber Bragg Grating – FBG sensors). A bioinspired algorithm allows the identification of both the location and type of contact applied to one of the artificial skin patches. The audience will be able to interact with the robot through these patches and visualize the interactions in real time via a graphical user interface. The overall goal is to educate the public on safe human-machine interaction solutions enabled by innovative tactile sensors in collaborative robotics contexts.
Daniele Moglia (Phd Student) - daniele.moglia(AT)santannapisa.it
DANTE - The dexterous hand exoskeleton for assistance and rehabilitation
University of Florence
DANTE, the latest hand exoskeleton developed by researchers at the University of Florence, Italy, will be presented during the demo. This solution is designed to support patients with movement difficulties, facilitating the resumption of function through an intuitive and adaptable system. During the live demo, observing the device in action, testing its ability to interact with the hand, and understanding its benefits for robot-assisted therapy will be possible. An opportunity to explore the potential of this technology and its impact on quality of life.
Nicola Secciani (Researcher) - nicola.secciani(AT)unifi.it
Gherardo Liverani (PhD student) - gherardo.liverani(AT)unifi.it
Human-Robot Interaction for Brain Health
University of Florence
The demonstrator integrates a humanoid robotic system with wearable sensors and smart sensorized objects, within a cognitive architecture designed for diagnostic and rehabilitative applications in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. The system actively interacts with the patient, stimulating attention and engagement while capturing behavioral indicators such as facial expressions, emotional responses, and motor performance. Through the synergy between robotics and intelligent sensing, it creates an interactive environment capable of personalizing rehabilitation pathways and identifying novel biomarkers.
Filippo Cavallo (Professor) - filippo.cavallo(AT)unifi.it
Lorenzo Rettori (PhD student) - lorenzo.rettori(AT)unifi.it
Lorenzo Pugi (PhD student) - lorenzo.pugi (AT)unifi.it
Last update
20.06.2025