Luca Ciarleglio

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About

Luca Ciarleglio is a leading figure in disaster robotics and humanoid locomotion, whose work bridges the gap between laboratory research and real-world emergency response. His most impactful contribution centers on the development and deployment of the WALK-MAN robot, a full-size humanoid designed to operate in hazardous environments. In his highly cited work, "Humanoids at Work: The WALK-MAN Robot in a Postearthquake Scenario" (2018, 36 citations), Ciarleglio demonstrated how humanoid robots can perform complex manipulation and locomotion tasks in rubble-strewn settings, reducing the need for human first responders in dangerous situations. This research has shaped the field of search-and-rescue robotics by proving that humanoids can navigate unstructured, post-disaster terrains while executing dexterous tasks like opening doors or clearing debris. Beyond this flagship study, his broader work on whole-body control and compliant actuation has advanced the reliability of humanoid robots in dynamic environments. With a growing citation impact, Ciarleglio’s efforts have been recognized by the robotics community for translating cutting-edge hardware into practical tools for disaster mitigation. For students and researchers, his work exemplifies how robotic systems can be engineered to serve humanity in its most vulnerable moments.