The “Key of the Italian Historic Companies Association” 2018

bestowed in Florence upon physicist Roberto Cingolani

“Ethics, passion and knowledge are the prerequisites research and business are based on, together with courage and curiosity, two other fundamental traits researchers and entrepreneurs need in order to succeed”. This is what physicist Roberto Cingolani, scientific director of the IIT, the Italian Institute of Technology, stated in his acceptance speech after receiving at Palazzo Incontri (Florence) the “Key” of the Italian Historic Companies Association, the annual prize conferred by the association representing over a hundred-year-old brands that have written the history of “Made in Italy”.

 Born in Milan, aged 56, Roberto Cingolani has been leading since 2005 the IIT, the Italian Institute of Technology, flagship of our national scientific research with a track record of over 700 patents, 18 spin-off projects (creating more than 100 new jobs) and hundreds of business collaborations in a mere decade of activity. Cingolani is considered to be one the world leading experts in the field of materials sciences and nanotechnologies, but also robotics and artificial intelligence.

“I believe that production, innovation and industry in all their aspects – added Cingolani – can not do without intelligent technologies improving manufacturing productivity and (even more importantly) helping workers and making life easier. Looking at the big picture, I believe it is the path every advanced manufacturing company needs to take. Because innovation is at the basis of any production system – concluded Cingolani – and there is nothing better than a combination of innovation and cultural tradition. The Italian Institute of Technology is very “Made in Italy”, as an idea and as a concept, and it takes pride in it. That’s what we have in common with the leading manufacturing companies that keep this country afloat and that should be rewarded, supported and helped more than they currently are”.