This pizza-loving robot chef is being taught the craft by one of the masters

A group of engineers from PRISMA Lab at the University of Naples Federico II, led by Prof. Bruno Siciliano, is developing a service robot that is mastering the craft of pizza-making. In order for RoDyMan to learn from the best, the project has engaged a famous Neapolitan pizzaiolo, Enzo Coccia, who had to wear a biokinetic sensorized suit so that the robot could record and replicate his movements.

The goal of the project is to create a robot that can dynamically manipulate deformable objects, such as the pizza dough, making it able to undertake tasks that are typically considered as human-executed. According to Prof. Siciliano, the project is still under development and its expected year of completion is in 2019 when he wishes to showcase the robot at Naples' pizza festival. Read more...