Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)

The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a public research foundation established by the Italian government in 2003 to promote excellence in basic and applied research and to facilitate national economic development. IIT began operations in 2005 and is headquartered in Genoa, Italy, benefiting from proximity to major high-tech companies such as Siemens and Ericsson.

IIT focuses on a limited number of strategic scientific fields, including robotics, drug discovery, neuroscience, nanotechnology, computer vision, and optical microscopy. The institute operates a large multidisciplinary research infrastructure with over 500 staff from 30 countries working in a 25,000 sqm facility. It has multiple departments dedicated to robotics, brain and cognitive sciences, advanced robotics, and tele-robotics, alongside life science departments.

IIT’s robotics program is internationally recognized, especially for the development of the humanoid robot iCub, which integrates engineering, neuroscience, and material science. The institute emphasizes technology transfer and real-world applications, such as prosthetic hands, assistive devices for the visually impaired, and participation in the DARPA Robotics Challenge with their robot Walkman.

IIT is expanding its facilities with the new Center for Human Technologies at the GREAT Campus in Genoa Erzelli, aiming to recruit hundreds of researchers and broaden its research scope. It also fosters entrepreneurship through its H4E Hub for Entrepreneurship inaugurated in 2023.

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• iCub: A state-of-the-art humanoid robot designed for research in embodied cognition and human-robot interaction.
• Walkman: A robot developed for the DARPA Robotics Challenge, focused on disaster response and complex locomotion.
• Artificial Prosthetic Hand: Robotics application for prosthetics developed to replace missing human limbs.

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IIT specializes in humanoid robotics, embodied intelligence, neuro-robotics, and robotic manipulation in unstructured environments. Their research integrates robotics with neuroscience and material science to develop robots capable of advanced perception, dexterous manipulation, and autonomous loco-manipulation. The institute also focuses on robotics for rehabilitation, prosthetics, surgery, agriculture, and human-robot interaction.

• Funded with approximately €90 million annually by the Italian government, ensuring stable financial support.
• Strong interdisciplinary approach combining robotics, neuroscience, and nanotechnology enhances innovation potential.
• Extensive patent portfolio and technology transfer focus supports commercialization and societal impact.
• Collaboration with universities, industry partners, and international research centers strengthens research outcomes and market relevance.
• Large-scale infrastructure and recruitment plans indicate growth and expanding capabilities.
• Active in high-profile robotics challenges and real-world applications, enhancing reputation and attracting talent.

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