The impact of robots on the economy, according to the findings of a Dutch think tank (Horizonscan 2007), presents a blind spot, and the Netherlands needs to develop a Delta Plan for Robotics. Stramigioli could not agree more, `The Netherlands is strong in many of the needed technologies. If proper investments are made in time then the Netherlands won't miss the boat!'
`Robotics will become pervasive and there will be a great growth of business opportunities as the personal computer was in the past. Bill Gates also said this in his article on science,' notes Stramigioli.
`Robotics will be a booming business. This is the new Golden Age of Robotics,' says Stramigioli. In the future, he says, `Home robotics will begin to outpace the growth seen in the past in manufacturing.'
In 1992, professor Stramigioli finished a master's degree in Electrical Engineering with honors (cum laude) from the University of Bologna, and he considered pursuing an academic career at MIT University in Boston, but cupid's arrow shot deep for his now Dutch wife Fiona, and he moved from Bologna, Italy to Enschede.
The journey was just beginning for Stramigioli when, in 1994, he received an offer from Delft University to participate in a PhD program of which he was once again bestowed the distinction of cum laude in 1998. He stayed on as faculty, even winning the award for Best Professor of 2000 (faculty of Electrical Engineering), but he reflects, `I always had the feeling, I liked Twente more.'
Gazing out the window of his office at the spectacular view below, he reflects, `The campus is one of our jewels that we should really be proud of.' In June of 2001, when offered an associate professorship at the UT, he grabbed the chance. `I listened to my wife and I'm still grateful for her advice. I haven't regretted my decision for one single second.' In 2005, he was appointed to the position of full professor of Advanced Robotics.
Bubbling over with new concepts, Stramigioli predicts the four target areas of technological applications lies in the areas of humanoid robots, micro-robots, medical robots, and inspections robots. He predicts, `Humanoid robots will not be employed in the coming years—it's more a future application. But I do believe many spin-offs are being started from this application in prosthetics and entertainment.'
In the medical sector, a high-quality niche market, research is being conducted to refine the abilities of robots to perform minimally invasive surgeries (MIS). In 2006, in Strasbourg, France, the first Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) operation was preformed by Jacques Marescaux on a 38-year-old woman to remove her gall bladder. `The procedure was incredibly unergonomic,' notes Stramigioli, yet the results were successful.
He forecast the new trend in medical robotic development in making one surgical access point from which a robot, telemanipulated by a human surgeon, can operate following somehow the ideas of NOTES. For the patient, the benefits of surgery are fewer traumas to the body, less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery period.
In the two main growth areas of home and inspection robotics, advancements in new technologies could reach many economic markets. Stramigioli envisions, `You may have many robots at Schipol airport,' and `they could go around taking measurements and keeping an eye on what's going on.' Another application in the inspections area is for surveillance, `There is a project that I'm going to try to start to have swarms of robots designed to inspect the dykes.'
In the labs, Stramigioli along with his students, are working to build a completely novel actuator. `We want to build a revolutionary torque-served actuator that could automatically store energy whenever negative work is done on a load.' The Very Versatile Energy Efficient (E2V2) actuator will be for many applications in robotics.
The research for future projects is supported in part with the help of a newly established foundation Romech that strives to promote Robotics and Mechatronics in the Twente region. `We have an excellent relationship with industrial partners. People and businesses that need support can seek help through the Romech Foundation where an academic institute is present and an enterprise—working together,' says Stramigioli.
Another position Stramigioli holds is that of Strategic Research Officer for the IMPACT Institute (Smart Devices and Materials). Within one month, he plans to draft a business plan for his new pet project Technological Dream.
Recently, he presented his concept to the management team within IMPACT institute, and scientific director Hans Kuyper, along with many faculty chair holders, liked the initial concept. Stramigioli wants to widen the reach of the project to the whole university. `One of the ideas I had was to define technological dreams.'
He elaborated, `I intend to find a way where the institute will support research for post-docs. There will be a group of post-docs, together with a group leader, who will hopefully be employed full-time for the project, and collectively the group will pursue a defined Technological Dream. Research groups will be comprised of people from all disciplines, working together on a time-scale.'
Stramigioli invites the Golden Age of Robotics, `Scientists are creative people that need stimuli, and I believe that a multidisciplinary technological dream is the way to foster collaboration and support new ideas.'
Stefano Stramigioli
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| Stefano Stramigioli next to The Dribbel robot. Photo: Gijs Oudewerkerk |
Current position: Personal Full Chair of Advanced Robotics
Birth date and place of birth: 28 March 1968, Bologna, Italy
E-mails per day: 100-200
Film: Beautiful Mind
Food: Varied, but really loves Sushi.
Mantra: “There is nothing more contagious than enthusiasm.”
Hours of sleep per day: 5.30 - 6.30 (during weekdays)
Favorite books: Almost all on the subject of Mathematics and Physics.
Current Favorite Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R.
Covey)
Adjustment to the Netherlands: `It wasn't difficult besides the weather and food, and unfortunately the fact that for many people, Italians are per definition mafia and pizza makers.'
