Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT - Italian Institute of Technology) is a scientific research center established by law in 2003 by Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research and Ministry of Economy and Finance, in order to promote excellence in both basic and applied research and to facilitate the economic development at national level. IIT scientific activities started in 2006, they are multidisciplinary and with a very strong approach to technology transfer.

The Department of Advanced Robotics (ADVR), directed by Prof Darwin Caldwell, has approximately 150 personnel working in both the hard and soft systems areas of robotics. It focuses on an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to robot design and control, and the development of novel robotic components and technologies. Research in ADVR includes: Humanoids, Quadrupeds, Machine Learning, Active Perception, Exoskeletons Haptics and Interaction, Industrial Automation and Medical Robotics.