University of Messina

About

The University of Messina has established itself as a remarkably interdisciplinary research powerhouse, blending cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence, and clinical medicine into a cohesive and impactful research identity. Situated in Sicily, Italy, the institution has built a distinctive profile at the intersection of human-robot interaction, neurorehabilitation, and surgical robotics, attracting international recognition across multiple domains. Among the university's most celebrated contributions is its pioneering work in social robotics and autism spectrum disorders, with a landmark systematic review that has become essential reading for researchers exploring therapeutic human-robot interactions. Complementing this, Messina's scholars have made foundational contributions to understanding anthropomorphism in human-robot co-evolution, shaping how the global community conceptualizes the psychological dimensions of robotic design. Their research on occupational health and safety in human-robot collaboration addresses urgent industrial challenges, while studies on neural resource allocation for extra robotic limbs push the boundaries of augmentation science. In neurorehabilitation, the university has produced highly cited work on robotic gait rehabilitation, post-stroke motor recovery, and cognitive training technologies, demonstrating a strong commitment to translating robotics research into direct patient benefit. Surgical robotics represents another flagship strength, with influential studies on robot-assisted nephrectomy, transoral robotic surgery, and minimally invasive thyroidectomy earning hundreds of citations worldwide. The breadth of Messina's portfolio — extending further into bio-inspired hexapod robotics, autonomous agricultural robots, and wall-climbing inspection systems — signals an institution unafraid to pursue bold, cross-disciplinary questions. With accumulated citations numbering in the thousands, the University of Messina offers prospective students and collaborators a vibrant, internationally connected environment where robotics research genuinely transforms lives.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines

   1,471 citations · 2020
2. 2
   Autism and social robotics: A systematic review

   484 citations · 2015
3. 3
   Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA): indications, techniques and results

   305 citations · 2017
4. 4
   Robotic gait rehabilitation and substitution devices in neurological disorders: where are we now?

   261 citations · 2016
5. 5
   Anthropomorphism in Human–Robot Co-evolution

   243 citations · 2018
6. 6
   A low-cost lightweight climbing robot for the inspection of vertical surfaces

   155 citations · 2002
7. 7
   Perioperative Outcomes of Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study (The RECORd 2 Project)

   131 citations · 2019
8. 8
   Slowdown of urology residents’ learning curve during the COVID‐19 emergency

   130 citations · 2020
9. 9
   Improving Cognitive Function in Patients with Stroke: Can Computerized Training Be the Future?

   110 citations · 2017
10. 10
    Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via a vestibular approach: why and how?

    104 citations · 2017

Faculty & Researchers

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