(17 August 2017) Anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise: are robots able to “understand” human emotions? Face (Facial Automation for Conveying Emotions) is a humanoid robot created by a team of researchers from the E. Piaggio Centre at the University of Pisa guided by Professor Danilo de Rossi. It is capable of empathetically interacting with human beings through non verbal communication. Face will be featured at the International Robotics Festival (September 7-13, 2017) in Pisa. This event is promoted by the City of Pisa, Arpa Foundation, BioRobotica of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa, the Normale School of Pisa, the National Research Council, Irccs Stella Maris, and the Endocas Centre of the University of Pisa. The city of Pisa boasts of the highest number of professionals in the field of development and application of robotic systems and is also the original seat of the Robotics Festival which highlights robotics in its many applications in ‘serving’ people.

THE FESTIVAL

The first International Robotics Festival is considered a varied cultural event. For one week, it will be accompanied by exhibitions, music and theatre shows to highlight the interaction between humans and machines and the connection between culture and science.