Umberto Scarcia
Papers
23
Total Citations
658
H-Index
13
About
Umberto Scarcia is a robotics researcher whose work centers on anthropomorphic robotic hands, human-robot interfaces, and underwater intervention systems. Based at the University of Bologna's Laboratory of Automation and Robotics, he has been a key contributor to the long-running UB Hand project, a multi-decade endeavor spanning more than 25 years of robotic hand development. His most celebrated contribution, the DEXMART Hand, introduced synergy-based control strategies to achieve human-like grasping, earning 178 citations and establishing him as a significant voice in dexterous manipulation research. Scarcia has also advanced the field of intuitive human-robot interaction, developing surface electromyography (sEMG)-based interfaces that leverage machine learning and postural synergies to enable natural teleoperation of robotic hands — work that has attracted over 115 citations. His engineering contributions extend to sensor design, including a novel optoelectronic six-axis force/torque sensor cited 70 times, and to underwater robotics through the Italian national MARIS project and specialized cable-driven grippers for subsea applications. Collectively, his research reflects a rare breadth across mechanical design, control theory, and applied human-machine interaction, making his work essential reading for students entering the field of advanced robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5A three-fingered cable-driven gripper for underwater applications41 citations · 2014
- 6Development of robotic hands: The UB hand evolution25 citations · 2012
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- 8Mechatronic Design of a Three-Fingered Gripper for Underwater Applications20 citations · 2013
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- 10Experimental Evaluation of Synergy-Based In-Hand Manipulation17 citations · 2014