Turin expérimente un robot-guide dans l’un de ses palais historiques
The Palazzo Madama in Turin, Italy, has introduced R1, a humanoid robot guide developed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa, to accompany visitors through the historic palace. Since late March, R1 has been testing its ability to navigate the building's constrained interiors, interact with diverse audiences, and provide explanations about artworks, artists, and the palace's history. The robot uses infrared cameras, lasers, pressure sensors, and a LED matrix to move, avoid obstacles, and communicate, with over 80% of users reporting positive interactions during the six-week trial. Previous tests occurred in 2022 and May 2024.
This experiment matters because it explores how robotics can enhance museum accessibility and visitor flow without replacing human staff. The robot is designed to assist during peak times, when attendance can rise by 30%, helping to orient visitors and handle simple queries. It also demonstrates the challenges of deploying autonomous machines in heritage settings, requiring software adjustments for navigation and connectivity in historic salons. The initiative reflects a growing trend of integrating technology into cultural institutions to improve visitor experience while preserving human expertise.