Human-Robot Teaming

Universitetet i Agder

Robots are no longer confined to factories or research labs. They are in our hospitals, our industries, our public spaces, and increasingly, in our homes. Among Us: Human-Robot Teaming is a podcast exploring what happens when humans and intelligent machines work together. Hosted by Professor Filippo Sanfilippo, this series brings together leading international researchers, engineers, innovators, and thinkers to discuss the technical, cognitive, ethical, and societal dimensions for different levels of human-robot collaboration. Each episode dives into the challenges and opportunities of designing robotic systems that are not just autonomous but collaborative. This is not about science fiction. It is about trust, shared control, responsibility, and the future of teamwork. Through thoughtful, coffee-style conversations, the podcast highlights cutting-edge research while making complex ideas accessible to students, academics, industry professionals, and anyone curious about how intelligent systems are reshaping our world. Because robots are no longer tools at the margins. They are among us.

Episodes

  1. 30 MAR

    Special Episode: European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2026

    Recorded live at the European Robotics Forum 2026 in Stavanger, this special episode of Among Us: Human–Robot Teaming takes you inside one of Europe’s most important robotics gatherings—through conversations, demos, and cutting-edge research. This is not theory. This is what robotics actually looks like today. 🎤 Who You’ll Hear in This Episode🔹 Opening Perspective: The Vision Behind ERFWe start with Nabil Belbachir, organizer of ERF, discussing: The strategic direction of robotics in EuropeWhere industry and research are actually convergingWhy events like ERF matter beyond networking 🔹 Bio-Inspired Flight & Flapping DronesNext, a fascinating discussion with Matěj Karásek from Flapper Drones: How flapping-wing drones differ from traditional UAVsThe role of bio-inspired design in roboticsReal-world applications where conventional drones fail 🔹 Precision Haptics & Human InteractionWe then speak with Marco Aggravi, Project Manager and R&D Engineer at Haption: High-fidelity force feedback systemsThe role of haptics in teleoperation and trainingWhy touch is still the missing piece in many robotic systems 🔹 Live Demo: Immersive Interaction with SenseGloveA hands-on demo with SenseGlove showcases: Real-time haptic feedback in virtual and robotic environmentsApplications in training, simulation, and remote manipulationThe transition from demo tech → deployable systems 🔹 Research Spotlight: Human Trajectory PredictionThe episode concludes with a presentation of the paper: “Transformer-Based Human Trajectory Prediction in Manufacturing Settings” Authored by: Even LangåsAtle AalerudDaniel HagenFilippo Sanfilippo Key ideas explored: Predicting human motion in industrial environmentsUsing transformer architectures for temporal modelingImproving safety and fluency in human–robot collaboration 🧠 What Connects All of This?At first glance, these look like separate topics: Event organizationBio-inspired dronesHapticsWearable interfacesAI-based trajectory prediction They’re not. They all point toward one thing: 👉 Robots that understand, adapt, and physically interact with humans in real environments ⚙️ The Real Insight (No Sugarcoating)Most robotics systems today: Perceive poorlyPredict weaklyInteract unnaturally This episode shows what it takes to fix that: Better sensing (event cameras, multimodal systems)Better prediction (transformers, temporal models)Better interaction (haptics, wearable feedback) 🎯 Who This Episode Is ForRobotics researchers and PhD studentsEngineers working on HRI/HRC systemsAnyone serious about moving from demos → deployable systems 🚀 Final TakeawayIf you want real human–robot teaming, you need to combine: Perception + Prediction + Physical Interaction Miss one—and your system breaks in the real world.

    1hr 1min

  2. 25 MAR

    Bilateral Communication Between Humans and Robots as the Future of Human-Robot Teaming

    In this episode, Dr. Gionata Salvietti shares groundbreaking perspectives on human-robot collaboration, emphasizing the crucial role of tactile feedback and multisensory interaction. Discover the advances in robotic hand manipulation, sensory integration, and how these innovations are paving the way for more seamless and intuitive teaming between humans and robots. Key Topics:The evolving definition and importance of human-robot teamingBilateral and multi-modal communication channels, especially touchThe biological basis and engineering of tactile feedback in roboticsSynergies and compliance in robotic hand controlThe concept of augmentation: from sixth fingers to assistive roboticsTransition from prototypes to commercialization with companies like SixtoChallenges in sensor development, including robust e-skin technologyEthical considerations and societal implications of robotics revolutionThe future trajectory of AI-powered multisensory integration Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to human-robot teaming and its significance 02:25 - Defining human-robot collaboration in a rapidly evolving context 03:49 - The bilateral communication channel for effective teaming 04:54 - Moving towards balanced human-robot interactions 07:15 - The role of touch and tactile feedback in communication 08:44 - How biological tactile interactions inspire robotic hand design 10:08 - The importance of emotional and functional touch in humans 11:17 - Using touch for guidance irrespective of sight and hearing impairments 12:44 - Historical overview of sensory technology, focusing on touch 14:24 - The revolutionary potential of recording and reproducing tactile interactions 15:44 - The integration of multiple senses and multisensory teaming 17:15 - Manipulation synergies and brain-inspired control strategies 18:47 - Simplifying control through synergies and compliance in robotics 20:16 - The concept of invisible threads and brain's organization of hand movements 21:39 - The brain's management of hand complexity and use of compliance 23:50 - The impact of synergy and compliance on collaborative manipulation 26:01 - Exploring augmentation: the story of the sixth finger 28:52 - Assistive robotics: aiding stroke patients with robotic augmentations 31:47 - The pathway from prototypes to commercial products (e.g., Sixto) 34:25 - Scaling devices for education and medical training 35:23 - Main barriers and future challenges for human-robot teaming 37:40 - Sensor technology limitations and future directions 39:50 - The importance of standards, safety, and societal acceptance 42:14 - The societal impact, fears, and opportunities of robotics revolution 44:57 - Cross-disciplinary collaboration and the role of AI in sensor networks 46:16 - Final thoughts and encouragement for active engagement in the field Resources & Links:Domenico Prattichizzo's research groupImmersiveSurgicalEdu Connect with Gionata Salvietti:LinkedIn Research Articles:Filippo Sanfilippo, Gionata Salvietti, Tomas Blazauskas, Guido Gabriele, Maria Zafar, Minh Tuan Hua, Muhammad Hamza Zafar, Syed Kumayl Raza Moosavi, Patrikas Armalis, Mohammad Poursina, Povilas Ignatavicius, Andrejus Subocius, Audrius Parseliunas, Ernest Margelis. “Integrating VR, AR, and haptics in basic surgical skills training: a review and perspective.” IEEE Access (2025), doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3574265.Filippo Sanfilippo, Tomas Blazauskas, Gionata Salvietti, Isabel Ramos, Silviu Vert, Jaziar Radianti, Tim A. Majchrzak, and Daniel Oliveira. 2022. "A Perspective Review on Integrating VR/AR with Haptics into STEM Education for Multi-Sensory Learning" Robotics 11, no. 2: 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics11020041.Filippo Sanfilippo, Tomas Blažauskas, Martynas Girdžiūna, Airidas Janonis, Eligijus Kiudys, and Gionata Salvietti. "A multi-modal auditory-visual-tactile e-learning framework." In International conference on intelligent technologies and applications, pp. 119-131. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10525-8_10.Filippo Sanfilippo, Houxiang Zhang, Kristin Ytterstad Pettersen, Gionata Salvietti, and Domenico Prattichizzo. "ModGrasp: an open-source rapid-prototyping framework for designing low-cost sensorised modular hands." In 5th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, pp. 951-957. IEEE, 2014. doi: 10.1109/BIOROB.2014.6913903.Filippo Sanfilippo, Gionata Salvietti, H. X. Zhang, Hans Petter Hildre, and Domenico Prattichizzo. "Efficient modular grasping: an iterative approach." In 2012 4th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob), pp. 1281-1286. IEEE, 2012. https://10.0.4.85/BioRob.2012.6290693. Additional Notes:This episode highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches—combining neuroscience, robotics, AI, and design—to address the challenges and unlock the full potential of human-robot teaming. We also discuss societal implications, ethical considerations, and the accelerating pace of technological change.

    50 min

  3. 11 MAR

    When Robots Become Teammates: Sensors, Digital Twins, and the Rise of Human-Centric AI

    Join us in this episode as we explore the cutting-edge developments in human-robot collaboration, emphasizing sensor technologies, gesture-based interfaces, privacy preservation, and emotional understanding. Hamza Zafar shares insights from his PhD research, highlighting how new sensors and algorithms are transforming the way humans and robots work together safely and intuitively. Main Topics Covered:The evolution and impact of gesture-based interfaces in human-robot teamingThe role of neuromorphic event cameras versus traditional RGB camerasPrivacy-preserving techniques such as federated learning in sensor dataIntegration of digital twins and Industry 5.0 for dynamic, human-centric environmentsPredicting human intentions and emotional states to enhance collaborationFuture perspectives: robots cohabiting living spaces, especially aiding elderly people Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to "Among Us" podcast and episode theme 01:23 - High-level overview of human-robot teaming and core elements 04:16 - Hamza discusses gesture-based interfaces and sensor types 05:36 - Sensors used in human-robot interaction: RGB, EMG, neuromorphic cameras 07:18 - Privacy-preserving methods in gesture recognition using federated learning 09:09 - Differences between traditional and predictive gesture interfaces 10:54 - Real-time limb and hand tracking for improved robot responsiveness 13:40 - Merging digital twins with machine learning for Industry 5.0 16:17 - Ensuring safety and risk mitigation via digital twins 17:25 - Future visions: robots living with humans, especially the elderly 20:50 - Incorporating emotion prediction and physiological sensing 23:33 - Physiological vs non-verbal emotion recognition for adaptive systems 26:27 - The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing HRT 28:24 - Neuromorphic event cameras: how they work and their advantages 32:49 - Summary of benefits of event cameras: efficiency, privacy, low data load 34:17 - Final thoughts, collaborations, and closing remarks Resources & Links:Hamza Zafar's Scholar ProfileExploring the synergies between collaborative robotics, digital twins, augmentation, and industry 5.0 for smart manufacturing: A state-of-the-art reviewEmpowering Human-Robot Interaction Using sEMG Sensor: Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Accurate Hand Gesture RecognitionFederated learning-enhanced edge deep learning model for EMG-based gesture recognition in real-time human–robot interactionHarmony unleashed: Exploring the ethical and philosophical aspects of machine learning in human-robot collaboration for industry 5.0 Connect with Hamza:LinkedIn In this episode, we bridge the latest technological advancements with the ethical and human-centered considerations essential for safe and effective human-robot collaboration.

    39 min

  4. 25 FEB

    Emotional Intelligence in Human-Robot Teaming

    In this episode, we explore the evolving field of human-robot teaming (HRT), emphasizing the importance of understanding human psychology, nonverbal communication, and ethical considerations in creating trustworthy and effective robotic partners. Our guest, Dr. Cristina Brasi, brings her expertise in forensic psychology and behavioral analysis to shed light on how robots can better read and respond to human cues, especially in high-pressure environments. Key TopicsThe evolution of human-robot interaction from isolated robots to collaborative teamsThe role of sensors, actuators, and algorithms in enabling effective teamingThe importance of personalized behavioral calibration over universal modelsRecognizing behavioral leakage and micro-expressions to interpret true emotionsCognitive ergonomics: tailoring robotic communication to individual neural profilesChallenges and risks of robot misinterpretation in emergency and stressful scenariosDesigning transparent and predictable robots to foster trustThe ethical implications of robots analyzing micro-expressions and emotional statesThe vision of a future where robots recognize and respect the complex social fabric of human lifeBridging the "invisible barrier" and liberating both humans and machines for more harmonious coexistence Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to human-robot teaming and its significance 03:08 - Why robots need to move beyond mere automation and towards true collaboration 04:32 - The evolution from industrial robots to physical and shared space teaming 05:29 - Critical elements for effective human-robot interaction: sensors, actuators, algorithms 06:56 - The importance of humanizing robots through emotional and behavioral understanding 12:21 - The story behind naming the robot "Ambroggio" and symbolic meaning 13:43 - Identifying gaps between robotics and behavioral sciences 14:12 - Personalizing robotic responses through behavioral signatures and leakage detection 15:11 - Moving from action recognition to intent recognition in robots 16:08 - Embracing cognitive ergonomics and adapting to diverse neural profiles 18:28 - Risks of misinterpreting signals in emergency rescue environments 19:38 - Distinguishing pain vs. deception through micro-dynamic gesture analysis 20:35 - The importance of social fluency and subtle cues in high-stakes scenarios 22:27 - Defining successful human-robot non-verbal collaboration: trust, transparency, predictability 24:20 - Designing robots that display their internal states visually for better predictability 27:35 - The future potential of human-robot teaming in mental health and operational safety 29:14 - Contextual adaptive responses for social appropriateness 30:12 - The vision of robots recognizing and respecting the social fabric of human life 31:50 - Closing remarks and encouragement for ongoing collaboration Resources & LinksEmotion recognition with a Randomized CNN-multihead-attention hybrid model optimized by evolutionary intelligence algorithm Connect with Dr. Cristina Brasi:LinkedIn Join us in future episodes as we continue to unravel the fascinating intersection of human psychology, AI, and robotics. Stay tuned for more inspiring insights and innovative visions for a harmonious future of humans and robots working together.

    33 min
  • 4 Episodes

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About

Robots are no longer confined to factories or research labs. They are in our hospitals, our industries, our public spaces, and increasingly, in our homes. Among Us: Human-Robot Teaming is a podcast exploring what happens when humans and intelligent machines work together. Hosted by Professor Filippo Sanfilippo, this series brings together leading international researchers, engineers, innovators, and thinkers to discuss the technical, cognitive, ethical, and societal dimensions for different levels of human-robot collaboration. Each episode dives into the challenges and opportunities of designing robotic systems that are not just autonomous but collaborative. This is not about science fiction. It is about trust, shared control, responsibility, and the future of teamwork. Through thoughtful, coffee-style conversations, the podcast highlights cutting-edge research while making complex ideas accessible to students, academics, industry professionals, and anyone curious about how intelligent systems are reshaping our world. Because robots are no longer tools at the margins. They are among us.

Information

  • Creator
    Universitetet i Agder
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Universitetet i Agder
  • Show Website
    Human-Robot Teaming