When Technological Innovation Serves People and Their Communities
Making technological innovation available to people and their communities is an important – though far from simple – goal. Achieving it requires commitment and goodwill from both local institutions and the research centres operating in the area. A strategic example of this approach is the collaboration that began at the end of 2023 between Politecnico di Torino and the Municipality of Ivrea, which has already led to significant results.
The idea behind the initiative is simple, as explained by Professor Enrico Vezzetti, from the Department of Management and Production Engineering-DIGEP and project coordinator on behalf of Politecnico. “We aim to put technology at the service of people and the area they live in, whether in sports, historical preservation, education, or support for vulnerable populations. In other words, we want to enhance both individuals and the local environment by applying the latest technologies, especially the digital ones. Artificial intelligence is part of this vision, as both an investigative and service tool.” This multi-level, cross-sector initiative is already generating tangible economic impacts. Ivrea is emerging as both an enabling public actor and a hub for innovation, providing Politecnico with a real-world setting to conduct high-level technological research.
The project originated in May 2023, when Matteo Chiantore, Mayor of Ivrea, met Professor Vezzetti in the context of a specialised Master’s course developed in collaboration with Olivetti. As the Mayor explains: “Our region has a deep-rooted vocation for innovation, inherited from the Olivetti legacy. We haven’t turned that legacy into a museum piece; we have kept the drive for innovation alive. We have a wealth of cultural heritage, a story to tell, and an iconic place for sharing knowledge. From this foundation came the decision to launch a multi-faceted collaboration with Politecnico focused on innovation and technology”. Vezzetti adds: “Ivrea offers an ideal living lab for experimentation – an environment that also greatly enriches our teaching activities”.
In just over a year, the collaboration has already led to a wide range of initiatives aimed at different audiences.
One of the first projects focused on physical activity and sport. Ivrea is home to a national training centre for canoeing, where numerous athletes train regularly. Politecnico launched a study (involving artificial intelligence as well) on athletes’ movement both on water and in the gym, to analyse movement dynamics and support performance improvement. Building on this research, similar technologies are now being applied to the elderly population. With support from the FILA Foundation, a group of senior citizens will wear specially designed smartwatches to collect data on their physical activity. These data will be analysed by Politecnico and the local health authority (ASL) to assess health impacts and to improve the quality of life of the population.
Special attention is also being given to education and training. Politecnico and local administration are currently co-developing an Advanced Training Course focused on innovation in service of people and communities. In addition to research, teaching, and technology transfer, the collaboration has also explored historical and cultural dimensions. On the occasion of Italy’s Liberation Day, researchers from Politecnico used virtual reality to reconstruct Ivrea’s main town square as it appeared during the Italian Resistence, allowing local citizens to explore the it using VR headsets and re-experience the days following the end of the war. “This was a meaningful experience”, explain Chiantore and Vezzetti, “because it showed how technological innovation can be placed at the service of people and the community”.