In this episode, Filippo Sanfilippo is joined by Claudio Pacchierotti, a CNRS researcher at IRISA and an expert in haptics, wearable interfaces, robotic teleoperation, and shared control. They explore how touch can become a communication channel between humans and machines, and why haptic feedback matters for safer, more intuitive human-robot teaming.We discuss how autonomy can shift fluidly between humans and robots depending on task difficulty, confidence, and environmental uncertainty, plus where wearable haptics are heading next and which applications stand to benefit most.

Key topics

• Filippo Sanfilippo introduces human-robot teaming as the next step beyond human-robot interaction and collaboration, where humans and robots share space, forces, and decisions.
• Claudio explains haptics as a communication channel that adds a physical layer to human-machine interaction, making control more natural and safe.
• We discuss why touch is still underexplored compared with vision and audio, even though it becomes critical when humans and robots physically interact.
• Claudio describes shared control and shifting autonomy, where the robot takes on more or less of the task depending on confidence, task difficulty, and sensor quality.
• The episode looks at how haptic feedback supports situational awareness without overloading the visual channel.
• Claudio explains why wearable haptics matter for teleoperation and training, especially when natural dexterity must be preserved.
• We discuss cutaneous haptics such as vibration, skin stretch, pressure, and temperature, and how these can be combined with vision and audio.
• Claudio highlights practical application areas including drone fleets, humanoid robots, hospitals, logistics, medicine, space, defense, delivery, and factories.
• The conversation closes on the idea of human-centered robotics, where robots empower humans rather than replace them.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introducing Claudio Pacchierotti and the idea of human-robot teaming

00:32 - Claudio’s background in haptics, wearable interfaces, and shared control

01:31 - Why touch matters in human-machine interaction

03:05 - From human-robot collaboration to shared space, forces, and decisions

04:09 - Haptics as a communication channel between humans and robots

06:26 - Shared control for complex systems like humanoid robots and drone fleets

08:26 - How haptic feedback improves situational awareness during control

09:56 - Why touch can convey physical and abstract information without visual overload

11:15 - Shifting autonomy based on task difficulty and confidence

13:10 - Using shifting autonomy for training and complex robotic systems

15:17 - Cutaneous haptics, safe teleoperation, and keeping dexterity intact

17:22 - Combining vibration, pressure, skin stretch, and temperature

18:48 - Where human-robot teaming matters most in real-world applications

21:05 - Better actuators, sensors, algorithms, and haptic interfaces for teaming

23:13 - Why rich feedback improves trust, acceptance, and collaboration

24:56 - “Just enough haptics” and the future of wearable interfaces

27:12 - Human-centered robotics that empower rather than replace people

30:07 - Why the field is broad, multidisciplinary, and still expanding

Notable quotes

“Haptics as a way of communication between humans and cyber-physical systems.”

“We believe in robots that can empower humans, not replace humans.”

“Just enough haptics.”

Human-Robot Teaming, Randomness, and Why Statistics Matter

In this episode, Filippo Sanfilippo speaks with Professor Svein Olav Nyberg from the University of Agder about how statistics and probability sit at the center of human-robot teaming. They connect robotics to bachata dancing, human movement prediction, teaching, machine learning, and even dreams and consciousness.The conversation is wide-ranging, but the through line is clear: humans are not perfectly predictable, and good systems need to handle uncertainty rather than pretend it does not exist.

Key topics

• In this episode: Filippo introduces Svein Olav Nyberg as a colleague, researcher, author of Bayesian Way, and one of the statistical foundations behind the group’s human-robot teaming work.
• The discussion defines human-robot teaming (HRT) as more than interaction or collaboration: humans and machines share space, forces, and intention, and the leader-follower role can shift depending on the task.
• Bachata dancing becomes the metaphor for control design, especially the idea that one partner leads while the other follows, and that those roles can sometimes be swapped.
• The hosts explain a Greek-letter autonomy parameter, alpha, which acts like a slider for delegating more or less control from human to robot.
• A major example is trajectory prediction in industrial settings, where synthetic human motion is generated instead of forcing real workers to repeat paths thousands of times.
• Svein Olav describes using an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process to model random motion with a pull back toward an intended path, including both position and velocity in two dimensions.
• The same movement data can support more than prediction: it can help slow robots near passing workers, adapt machine behavior to the workspace, identify operators by gait, and detect anomalies.
• Randomness becomes a recurring theme, from heart rate variability and walking patterns to art, teaching, and memory retention.
• Svein Olav shares how introducing randomness in lectures and exams can increase engagement and improve memory, because interest boosts retention.
• The conversation broadens to machine learning and statistics, with the point that statistics is the engine under the hood, especially when uncertainty matters more than a single output number.
• They discuss robotics moving from rigid white-box control toward hybrid systems that combine low-level motor and sensor control with statistical and machine learning methods.
• In the closing section, the guests reflect on future systems that can handle unexpected input, on pseudo-randomness in cryptography, and on whether machines might someday dream or feel emotions.

Timestamps

00:00 - Opening the episode and introducing the guest 01:21 - Why statistics matters for human-robot teaming 03:21 - From human-robot interaction to shared space, force, and intention 04:20 - Bachata as a metaphor for leader-follower control 05:47 - Swapping roles with AI during dance instruction 06:46 - The autonomy slider, alpha, in human-robot teaming 10:03 - Modeling human trajectories in industrial environments 11:00 - Generating synthetic humans instead of collecting exhausting real-world data 12:57 - Ornstein-Uhlenbeck motion modeling for position and velocity 14:23 - Using the same data for robot adaptation, identification, and anomaly detection 16:57 - Randomness, heart rate variability, and healthy human rhythms 19:42 - Random teaching, dice-based exams, and student engagement 21:29 - Why interest improves memory retention 23:30 - Statistics as the bridge between theory and practice in AI 24:56 - Why uncertainty matters more than a single machine learning output 27:24 - Bridging traditional robotics with statistics and machine learning 28:14 - Randomness in cryptography and pseudo-random number generators 30:26 - A football example that unexpectedly became a teaching tool 33:11 - Dreams, hallucinations, and whether machines can interpret or have dreams 34:49 - Blade Runner, consciousness, and synthetic beings 37:26 - The future is more open because systems must handle the unexpected 39:10 - Closing thoughts, karaoke, and the episode sign-off

Key frameworks

• Human-robot teaming
• Shared space
• Shared forces
• Shared intention
• Autonomy slider
• A controllable degree of delegation between human and robot
• Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process
• Random motion with a tendency to return toward a target state
• Statistics under the hood
• Machine learning is powerful, but statistics explains uncertainty and credibility

Notable quotes

"The future is far more open than we actually believe it is."

"Statistics is the engine" behind machine learning.

"We share space, we share forces, and we finally also share intention."

Join us for an enlightening discussion with PhD candidate Martin Økter about the forefront of human-robot teaming (HRT). We delve into how touch, machine learning, simulation, and safety are shaping the future of robotics across industries such as automotive recycling, healthcare, and space exploration.

Main Topics:

• The role of haptics and touch in enhancing human-robot interaction
• Imitation learning and simulation for robot training and safety
• Modular robotics architectures and ROS for complex applications
• Future implications and societal benefits of collaborative robots
• Practical insights for aspiring researchers and industry leaders

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to human-robot teaming and Martin Økter

00:30 - The significance of haptics and the senses in robotics

01:02 - Applications of HRT in battery disassembly processes

01:33 - The shift from humans teaching robots to joint teamwork

02:02 - Using machine learning and imitation learning in robots

02:31 - The importance of tactile feedback and learning through testing

03:01 - Augmented surgical aid: reducing reliance on cadavers

03:30 - Designing scalable robotic systems with ROS

04:11 - Modular control architectures for complex disassembly tasks

04:49 - Simulation environments like Nvidia's IsaacSim for training robots

05:20 - Safety constraints and merging traditional control with machine learning

06:00 - Challenges and opportunities in long-term robot deployment

06:45 - Future scenarios: robotic applications in medical and industrial sectors

07:30 - The importance of continuous learning and exploration in robotics

08:10 - Advice for young researchers: passion, curiosity, and perseverance

08:50 - The societal role of collaborative robots and ethical considerations

09:40 - Concluding thoughts: a future driven by human-robot collaboration

Resources & Links:

• Nvidia IsaacSim - Nvidia's physics-based simulation platform
• Robot Operating System (ROS) - Modular framework for robot software development

Connect with Martin Økter:

• LinkedIn

Join us on this journey to the future of collaborative robotics, where humans and machines support each other, overcoming challenges and unlocking new potentials!

Human-Robot Teaming, Artificial Intelligence, Perception, Art and Mathematics, Unsupervised Learning, Future of Robotics, Art and AI, Perception and Language, Creativity in AI

Exploring Human-Robot Teaming, Perception, and Artistic Innovation with Professor Marius Leordeanu

Dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Marius Leordeanu as he discusses the intersection of robotics, perception, art, and mathematics. Discover how AI is transforming our understanding of perception, elevating human creativity, and inspiring new ways to live and collaborate with machines.

Main Topics Covered:

• The essence of human-robot teaming: sharing space, forces, and decisions
• The deep connection between mathematics, poetry, art, and perception
• The role of perception at multiple levels: sensors, semantics, and consciousness
• Innovations in real-time art creation using AI and diffusion models
• The philosophical perspective: AI as an extension, not a replacement, of humanity
• How AI and robotics enhance creativity, exploration, and understanding of the world
• The importance of mathematics in technology and AI development
• The future of multimodal interfaces integrating sight, sound, touch, and potentially taste and smell
• Ethical considerations: security, trust, and the role of AI in society
• The concept of perception with intention and its significance in human-robot interaction

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Introduction to Human-Robot Teaming: Collaboration in shared space and decision-making
• (02:00) - Professor Marius Leordeanu's background: Robotics, mathematics, and AI research
• (04:26) - From snake robots to search-and-rescue: Practical applications of robotics in extreme environments
• (06:10) - The intersection of mathematics, art, and perception: Deep analogies and metaphors
• (08:53) - Robots as extensions of human senses and capabilities: Transcendence through automation
• (12:24) - AI as a tool for increasing human consciousness and creativity
• (14:32) - The concept of teaming: robotics as a partnership, not a replacement
• (16:57) - The importance of perception at multiple levels for human-robot interaction
• (23:19) - The challenge of understanding metaphors: language, vision, and context in AI systems
• (25:43) - The connection between language and perception: building a unified understanding
• (31:16) - Limitations of humanoid robots and the importance of context and imitation in machine understanding
• (35:32) - The evolution of human-centered technology: smartphones and multimodal interfaces
• (38:29) - The role of mathematics and linear algebra in AI and perception
• (41:11) - Moving beyond pattern recognition: AI's potential to understand life, consciousness, and purpose
• (45:09) - Perception with intention: AI as a tool for serving human and societal goals
• (50:04) - Mathematics as the foundation of understanding our universe and AI's role in future innovations
• (54:45) - Art, AI, and the Smile Project: Creating interactive art responding to human emotions
• (69:40) - Artistic storytelling and virtual reality: Using AI for immersive narrative experiences
• (77:29) - Flying robots and extended perception: Exploring new frontiers in aerial AI systems
• (82:41) - Gratitude, inspiration, and calls to action for the future of AI and robotics

Resources & Links:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE)
• Simeon Stoilov Institute of Mathematics

Connect with Professor Marius Leordeanu:

• LinkedIn

Join us for a visionary exploration into how AI is transforming perception, art, and human-robot collaboration, and what this means for our future society. Don't miss the final inspiring message from Professor Marius Leordeanu about elevating humanity through technology.

Human-Robot Teaming: Innovations in Exoskeletons and Haptic Interfaces with Professor Mihai Dragusanu

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.

In this special episode recorded for the 40th ECMS International Conference on Modelling and Simulation (ECMS) in Grimstad, Norway, we bring together three perspectives on the future of simulation, AI, and human-centered robotics. From supply chain digital twins and agentic AI to wearable robotic devices and human-robot teaming in battery disassembly, this episode highlights how modeling and simulation are shaping practical innovation across research and industry.

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

Exploring the Fusion of Art, Human Emotion, and Artificial Intelligence with Cristina Lazăr

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.