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About

Franco Tecchia is a leading researcher in virtual and augmented reality, with a core focus on immersive telepresence, neurorehabilitation, and human-robot interaction. His work bridges the gap between virtual embodiment and real-world applications, particularly for clinical populations. Tecchia’s most cited paper (60 citations) proposes a fully immersive telerehabilitation system that leverages virtual body ownership, a concept that allows remote patients to feel as though a virtual body is their own, thereby enhancing motor recovery. He further advanced brain-computer interface (BCI) technology with a study (56 citations) enabling people with spinal cord injury to control virtual and robotic agents through P300 signals, demonstrating how embodiment can improve BCI usability. Tecchia also pioneered the use of third-person augmented reality to visualize robot intentions, making autonomous systems more predictable and safe for human collaboration. Through the BEAMING project, he developed frameworks for interoperability and presence awareness in collaborative mixed reality, allowing users to interact across VR, AR, and robotic platforms seamlessly. His work is foundational to creating accessible, embodied technologies that restore agency and social interaction for individuals with severe motor disabilities.