Innovation and research for health and safety at work
From virtual reality for training on construction sites to next-generation robotic prosthetics developed in collaboration with leading Italian research centres. At the demonstration area of the RomeCup 2026, taking place in Rome from 28 to 30 April, INAIL is presenting prototypes and research projects that demonstrate how technology can improve workplace safety, risk prevention and advanced rehabilitation.
RomeCup, the multi-event promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS and titled this year “What’s next? Intelligence and talent in dialogue”, explores the future of education, research and business through dialogue between the humanities and computational sciences, with a focus on augmented languages.
In the event’s demonstration area, institutions, research centres and start-ups present innovative solutions and prototypes that translate scientific research into practical applications.
It is within this context that INAIL is participating, bringing to RomeCup a selection of projects developed within its own research departments and in collaboration with leading scientific partners.
With regard to prevention and safety at work, the Department of Technological Innovations (DIT) presents virtual reality-based training systems, designed to simulate operational activities in complex and potentially hazardous contexts, such as quarries and construction sites. Thanks to immersive environments, workers can practise in realistic situations and learn safety procedures, thereby reducing the risks associated with on-site training.
A central role is also played by the activities of the prosthetics and rehabilitation sector, represented by the Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (DCAPR). In this area, INAIL is presenting various prototypes developed in collaboration with research institutes and hospitals.
Among these is Omnia, a prosthetic system for the lower limb comprising the Unico motorised knee and the Armonico ankle. The two devices communicate with each other via sensors that automatically adjust movement parameters in real time, enabling a more natural and stable gait. The project was developed by the Rehab Technologies laboratory, established through a collaboration between INAIL and the Italian Institute of Technology.
Alongside this system, OsteoCustom, developed in partnership with the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, explores the potential of osseointegration, a technique that aims to create a direct connection between bone and prosthetic implant to improve stability, functionality and patient comfort.
Innovation also involves 3D printing. With D-Pulp, INAIL presents a solution for the upper limb that uses digital scans and additive technologies to create highly customised prostheses, reducing production times and costs whilst offering new possibilities for customisation, including from an aesthetic perspective.
Also in the field of customisation, the DisCover project is dedicated to the creation of aesthetic covers for lower limb prostheses using 3D printing. The covers are designed to ensure resistance to impacts and scratches, with the aim of combining functionality, durability and attention to aesthetics.
Finally, the Adjoint project, developed in collaboration with CNR-ICMATE, focuses on the creation of small implantable components produced using additive manufacturing technologies. These devices are designed for the personalised treatment of finger amputations through osseointegrated prostheses.
Through these projects, INAIL’s participation in RomeCup demonstrates how technological research can translate into concrete solutions to improve worker safety and people’s quality of life. An example of how scientific innovation, medicine and engineering can converge in the development of increasingly advanced technologies serving society.
