Tutorial - Enzo P. Scilingo

TUTORIAL

Enzo Pasquale Scilingo

University of Pisa, Italy

In this talk, we present Abel, a hyper-realistic humanoid robot designed to advance social robotics by integrating multiple AI-driven modules for language processing, contextual recognition, and emotional perception. Abel is equipped with a sophisticated modular AI framework, enhancing its ability to engage in fluid, natural interactions with humans, moving beyond scripted responses toward situational awareness and empathic behavior.

We will explore the underlying AI framework that enables Abel to perceive emotions, interpret context, and generate coherent, emotionally-aligned responses. The system ensures that verbal and non-verbal communication are seamlessly synchronized and contextually appropriate, fostering a more human-like interaction experience.

To demonstrate Abel’s capabilities, the talk will feature a live, real-time interaction, where Abel will engage with the audience, showcasing its ability to adapt responses, express emotions, and sustain meaningful conversation. This demonstration will highlight how advanced embodiment, multimodal AI processing, and human-robot interaction design contribute to a more immersive and natural social experience.

Enzo Pasquale Scilingo, Ph.D., is a Full Professor of Electronic and Information Bioengineering at the University of Pisa. Currently, he conducts research at both the Department of Information Engineering and the E. Piaggio Research Center. He has extensive teaching responsibilities, supervises multiple Ph.D. students, and leads the CP-TECH Lab - Computational Physiology and Human-Technology Interaction Lab at the Department of Information Engineering. He has coordinated several European research projects, including:

• EC-FP7-ICT-247777 PSYCHE project (Personalised Monitoring Systems for Care in Mental Health).
• H2020-PHC-2015-689691 NEVERMIND project (Neurobehavioural Predictive and Personalised Modelling of Depressive Symptoms during Primary Somatic Diseases with ICT-enabled Self-management Procedures).
• H2020-FETPROACT-2018-01-824153 POTION project (Promoting Social Interaction through Emotional Body Odors).

His main research interests include wearable monitoring systems, artificial intelligence for biomedical applications, affective computing, human-computer interfaces, social robotics, biomedical and biomechanical signal processing, modeling, control, and instrumentation.
He has authored over 300 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, international conference papers, and book chapters. He is also the co-author of three books published by Springer.
He serves as a reviewer for numerous international journals and is an active member of program and scientific committees for annual international conferences. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Bioelectronics section of the journal Electronics and serves on the Editorial Boards of PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports (Nature), IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Frontiers in Robotics and AI (Bionics and Biomimetics section), Frontiers in Neuroscience (Neural Technology section), ETRI Journal.