Ciao a tutti (hello everyone)! Today was our first full day in Genoa, a stunning city on the coast of the Mediterranean with breathtaking views of the city and sea.
We started off bright and early at 8:45 a.m., leaving for a technical visit to the Instituto Italiano Di Technologia (the Italian Institute of Technology), a research facility aimed at promoting Italy’s technological development and higher education.
We began our tour with a demonstration of a machine that utilizes artificial intelligence to discern defects for eyeglasses.
Later we received a demonstration of a hand that autonomously grips objects and had fun playing around with it.
We also saw a presentation on HyQ, a fully torque-controlled hydraulically actuated quadruped robot designed to move over rough terrains and perform tasks like jumping and running with different gaits.
Afterward, we headed back to Genoa where we had the rest of the day to explore on our own. Many of us went to swim in the Mediterranean and enjoyed dinner at one of the few restaurants open on a Monday night. Others relaxed back at the hotel with some gelato. It was another excellent day in the city and we’re all looking forward to visiting the University of Genoa tomorrow!
-John J.