Riccardo Zanella

University of Bologna, University of Twente

Papers

10

Total Citations

246

H-Index

7

About

Riccardo Zanella is a robotics researcher whose work centers on the perception and manipulation of deformable linear objects (DLOs), robotic vision, tactile sensing, and deep learning-based control systems. His research addresses one of the field's most persistent challenges: enabling robotic systems to reliably handle flexible, cable-like objects in complex real-world environments. Zanella's most influential contribution, "Integration of Robotic Vision and Tactile Sensing for Wire-Terminal Insertion Tasks" (2018, 93 citations), demonstrated a practical manipulation system combining cameras and custom tactile sensors for automating electrical wire insertion—a task critical to industrial assembly. Building on this foundation, he developed Ariadne+, a deep learning framework for wire instance segmentation (2022, 46 citations), and RT-DLO, a real-time segmentation system for deformable linear objects (2023, 33 citations), collectively advancing robotic perception of notoriously difficult-to-model objects. His more recent work explores online model parameter estimation for DLO manipulation (2024, 32 citations) and passivity-based reinforcement learning (2024), reflecting a broadening toward robust, adaptive control strategies. With contributions spanning tactile feedback systems, graph neural networks, and industrial deployment of deep learning, Zanella's cumulative impact—exceeding 240 citations—marks him as a significant emerging voice in robot manipulation research.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

7
H-Index
10
Papers
246
Total Citations
25
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Integration of Robotic Vision and Tactile Sensing for Wire-Terminal Insertion Tasks
93 citations · 2018
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2024 (2 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 15
🏛 Institutions: University of Bologna, University of Twente

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
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