The challenge presented in this work was to identify new business applications for a humanoid robot exploiting its empathic capabilities. More specifically, the humanoid robot Pepper was provided by our industry partner, Sprint Reply. According to the vast diffusion of technological devices for the support of people’s physical wellbeing, our team decided to make Pepper a personal trainer, capable of following a user during a free body training session. Counting repetitions, correcting errors or showing past performance are just some of the features implemented. As opposed to exercises with machines, with free-body ones the athlete has total freedom of movement, increasing the probability of mistakes. As a consequence, this could reduce the benefits of the workout and also create physical injuries. Our solution enables Pepper with advanced AI-based algorithms to monitor the execution of the user’s exercises through human body pose evaluation. Providing a non-human solution in the role of personal trainer helps to lower costs for customers and generates a profit opportunity for gyms that decide to supply it. Pepper would be a scenic and attractive element as well as helping personal trainers to manage the numerous members. After an initial investment, our solution will bring a profit to the gym and gym-goers could fight the lack of consistency in their workouts maintaining a high level of involvement and motivation thanks to a more continuous relationship. Our solution represents a strong technology push in fitness, which is characterized by strong technological growth in this last period.
PRINCIPAL ACADEMIC TUTOR
Prof. Barbara Caputo, DAUIN, Politecnico di Torino
OTHER ACADEMIC TUTOR
Prof. Cesare Alippi, DEIB, Politecnico di Milano
EXTERNAL INSTITUTIONS
SEI – School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
EXTERNAL TUTOR
Movva Raghu, SEI
Massimo Pescarollo, SEI
TEAM MEMBERS
Alberto Catalano, Physics of Complex Systems Politecnico di Torino
Daniele Gusmini, Automation and Control Engineering Politecnico di Milano
Innocenzo Lagonigro, Computer Engineering Politecnico di Torino
Andrea Megaro Mathematical Engineering Politecnico di Torino
Giuseppe Pastore Computer Engineering Politecnico di Torino
Lapo Peruzzi Design&Engineering Politecnico di Milano
Andrea Sassella Automation and Control Engineering Politecnico di Milano