SPECIAL SESSION #18

Mario Collotta

University of Enna Kore

• mario.collotta@unikore.it

Giuseppe Lorenzo Di Prima

University of Enna Kore

• giuseppelorenzo.diprima@unikorestudent.it

Marianna Ruggieri

University of Enna Kore

• marianna.ruggieri@unikore.it

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) is increasingly evolving toward more natural, adaptive and context-aware systems capable of understanding and responding to human behaviour. A critical challenge in this field is the reliable detection and interpretation of human actions, intentions and emotional states through heterogeneous sensory data, both from measurements collected by robots and from the surrounding environment through Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

Recent advances in multimodal perception, machine learning and data fusion techniques are enabling robots to interpret diverse signals such as speech, facial expressions, physiological signals, gestures and environmental context. At the same time, the growing deployment of IoT technologies in smart environments is creating new opportunities for distributed sensing and contextual perception. IoT devices, such as wearable sensors, smart cameras, environmental sensors and connected home systems, can provide additional contextual information that significantly enhances behaviour detection and human state monitoring.

Within this framework, AI-based models are emerging as key enablers for improving system performance, sensor fusion strategies and real-time decision-making. For example, optimization techniques based on artificial intelligence, such as evolutionary algorithms, reinforcement learning, metaheuristic optimization and hybrid learning–optimization frameworks, can enhance multimodal perception pipelines, improve model accuracy, reduce computational complexity and support adaptive HRI systems operating in dynamic environments.

This special session focuses on measurement methodologies, sensing technologies, distributed sensing architectures, AI-based optimization approaches and intelligent algorithms that support accurate detection and interpretation of human behaviour in HRI scenarios within IoT-enabled smart living environments.

The session welcomes interdisciplinary contributions linking metrology, artificial intelligence, affective processing, robotics, optimization methods and IoT systems, with a focus on measurement reliability, system evaluation and real-world implementation in connected environments.

Mario Collotta is a Full Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Enna Kore, where he coordinates the Computer Engineering and Networks Laboratory (CENs Lab). Since 2011, he has served as scientific coordinator and principal investigator of several research projects. His research focuses on the design of innovative AI-based expert systems and network solutions for critical, real-time and secure applications. He has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications and works on innovative AI techniques and advanced algorithms for flexible and adaptive resource management.

Giuseppe Lorenzo Di Prima received his M.Sc. degree with distinction in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Engineering from University of Enna Kore in October 2025. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Intelligent Systems for Engineering at the same University. His current research investigates deep learning models, Human-Robot Interaction and affect-driven behavioural learning.

Marianna Ruggieri is a Full Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Enna KORE. Her scientific interests include Group Classification Problems, Extended Thermodynamics Problems, Wave Propagation Problems, Study of Partial and Fractional Differential Equations with particular reference to their applications in engineering and biomathematics.
Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in organizing and participating in various international conferences and scientific meetings. As a visiting professor, she has visited important international institutions. She is currently a member of several prestigious scientific societies, including the Italian Mathematical Union (UMI), the Italian Society of Applied and Industrial Mathematics (SIMAI) and the GNFM (National Group of Mathematical Physics) of the National Institute of Higher Mathematics "Francesco Severi". She has also been the Principal Investigator of several scientific projects.
Additionally, she has held various academic roles at the University of Enna KORE. She is also part of the register of the disciplinary experts of the ITALIAN NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE EVALUATION OF UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES (ANVUR).