Italy is testing a robot museum guide and 80% of visitors love it

Vedat Özgür Töre

Rome: Italy is trialling a humanoid robot as a museum guide at historic sites in Turin and Genoa, with early visitor feedback showing strong approval for the technology.

The robot, known as R1, moves on wheels at up to 1.5 metres per second and uses built-in artificial intelligence to explain exhibits and help visitors navigate narrow corridors in historic buildings. Engineers say it uses sensors and cameras to avoid obstacles, adjust its route in real time, and remap its surroundings if it needs to reorient itself.

The current trial, which has been running since late March 2026, is backed by €4 million in funding from the European Union through its Digital Europe Programme.

Partners include the University of Genoa and Robert Bosch GmbH.

Museum officials say R1 is intended to support staff rather than replace them, particularly during peak periods when visitor numbers can rise by around 30%. More than 80% of users have reported positive interactions with the robot, though some visitors remain unsure how to engage with it and still prefer human guides for detailed explanations.

R1 was originally developed by a team at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa and first trialled at Turin’s Galleria d’Arte Moderna and Palazzo Madama in 2022 using 5G connectivity. The 2026 programme represents a more advanced, EU-funded expansion of that earlier work, now also extending to the Strada Nuova Museums in Genoa, a UNESCO World Heritage site housing artworks dating back to the 15th century.

The project reflects a broader push by European cultural institutions to use robotics and artificial intelligence to manage rising visitor numbers while preserving the visitor experience at heritage sites.