IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - December 2021 - 84

F. the testing of a large number of swabs (including carrying
out the test, and sample management and analysis)
G. home delivery.
The robots used for telepresence, for example, which could
help in remoting encounters [Table 1 (need A)], were in high
demand according to the results of our interviews and questionnaires.
However, only a few units were available to hospitals
in Italy at the time of emergency, and no companies were
prepared to produce more of them in such a short period of
time. I-RIM also collaborated with Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
(IIT) and the University of Pisa in promoting a telepresence
robot avatar, which can be assembled with off-the-shelf
hardware and open source software [Figure 6(a)].
In remoting activities (Table 1, need B), for example, Camlin
Italy s.r.l. is bringing certification to ARC-Intellicare, an
integrated and interoperable platform for home telerehabilitation,
where wearable technologies and AI collaborate to offer
the therapist the possibility to completely customize the therapy.
The patient can perform at-home rehabilitation under the
continuous supervision of a virtual physiotherapist who analyzes
the exercises performed in real time (a telepresence
module is, in any case, provided). Developed within a
European pre-commercial procurement project [MAGIC
(http://magic-pcp.eu/)] for stroke patients (it is currently at a
TRL6, thanks to the multicenter clinical study Assisted Rehabilitation
Care During Post-stroke mANaGement: fEasibiLity
Assessment), the project has obtained a verticalization for
post-COVID-19 patients at a TRL6 within a regional Emilia
Romagna project (START again), integrating pulse oximeter
and a library of respiratory rehabilitation exercises developed
by the University of Marche, which is approved for postCOVID-19
patients and adopted in the clinic. The clinical
trial currently underway will bring the project to a TRL7
(March 2021), with certification as a Class 1 medical device
under MDR 2017/745. TRL8 is expected in late 2021 and as
certification in Class 2a. Its integration into the telemedicine
platforms of leading companies in the sector is underway.
Currently, the IIT community works on personal protective
equipment (Table 1, need B), such as reusable, easily disinfectable
protective masks (from off-the-shelf, full facemasks), and
a lung respirator for emergency situations [the data are shared
on the Digital Innovation Hub Hero Platform (https://dih
-hero.eu/)].
With regard to the emerging necessity to sanitize objects or
Figure 5. The wordcloud resulting from answers to the questions
Do you believe that technology can help to minimize the risk
of contagion? If yes, do you have any suggestions? Please
briefly describe the solution you would suggest. Although it is
not possible to fully translate the wordcloud without a loss of
information, we highlight that the five most relevant words are
robot, distance, remote, contacts, and activity.
enable no-touch technologies (Table 1, need C), Ribes Tech is
currently launching the Daphne Project, a no-touch button for
lifts (http://www.ribestech.it/). On the other hand, to face the
emerging need to disinfect spaces (Table 1, need D), the SANITIZE
Project, supported by the Emilia Romagna region (Fondo
europeo di sviluppo regionale structural funding), is about the
realization of an automated system able to provide a rapid and
effective disinfection using ultraviolet-C (UVC) light in environments
particularly at risk, where it is not possible to carry
out this operation through human intervention. The device is
currently equipped with a completely autonomous navigation
system and does not require floor traces or magnetic references.
The sanitization system consists of an array of lamps capable of
emitting radiation with a wavelength of 253.7 nm, exploiting
the germicidal properties of UVC rays to break down the viruses,
bacterial loads, molds, and fungi present on the action surfaces
with an inactivation rate of 99.99%, through the
Table 1. Examples of representative robotic solutions and their application field. Each platform
is associated to the related technology and the need it is designed to address.
Name
LHF-Connect
ARC-Intellicare
Daphne
SANITIZE
AI thermometer
YuMi
Yape
Organization
IIT/Unipi
Camlin Italy s.r.l.
Ribes Tech
Modis (Adecco)
IIT
Politecnico di Milano
e-Novia
Technology
A telepresence robot
An interoperable platform for
home telerehabilitation
Touchless technology
Disinfection by ultraviolet-C light
AI
Automation
Mobile robot
Application Field
Hospitals
Health care
A no-touch button for lifts
Logistics, public premises
Public-spaces monitoring
Sample processing
Delivery
Need
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
84 * IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE * DECEMBER 2021

http://www.magic-pcp.eu/ https://dih-hero.eu/ https://dih-hero.eu/ http://www.ribestech.it/

IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - December 2021

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