Design of robotic and additive manufacturing for cultural heritage

Abstract

Intuitive and sensitive interaction between robots and humans in the near future will be an integral part of our everyday life environment, to shape new ways of use and make art accessible to a wider audience. Users interact with robotic systems creating new forms of dialogue based on artificial emotions that provide constant feedback to the user through significant gestures and movements. Constantly potential of robotic technologies and additive manufacturing techniques are changing the fruition of cultural heritage through the use of innovative systems that actively involve the viewer in the educational and cognitive experience with strong sensory perceptions, in sensitive environments and interactive spaces. Through additive manufacturing, process and project procedures and paradigms change completely, proposing new design methods which differ from conventional ones. Additive technologies offer new design flexibility compared to traditional production processes, higher production speed, versatility, high precision to ensure adaptive design in functionality and features and cost optimization. The paper addresses, through illustrative case studies, new scenarios of robotic design and additive production techniques at the service of cultural heritage, identifying strengths and weaknesses to outline new design opportunities.