Robot Docent R1 Guides Visitors Through Turin's Palazzo Madama
In Turin, Palazzo Madama has unveiled R1, a robot docent standing four feet tall, to assist guests in exploring its Baroque collection. R1 provides insights into the Savoy family's history and descriptions of the artworks within the royal apartments. Visitors can engage with R1, although it is limited to the first floor as it cannot manage stairs. Created by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) as part of Project Convince, R1 received €4 million ($4.7 million) in funding from the EU. It can autonomously adjust to its surroundings and rectify errors. In December 2025, R1 successfully conducted 30 tours. Unlike other similar robots, R1 aims to support rather than replace human staff.
Key facts
- R1 is a four-foot-tall robot docent at Palazzo Madama in Turin.
- R1 has a two-hour battery life and operates on the first floor only.
- R1 narrates the history of the House of Savoy and details the palace's collection.
- R1 was developed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) under Project Convince.
- Project Convince is backed by €4 million ($4.7 million) in EU funding.
- R1 completed 30 tours in December 2025.
- The robot uses cameras to relocalize itself if lost.
- Palazzo Madama was chosen for its crowded, calm environment and poor Wi-Fi.
- The Smithsonian deployed a similar robot named Pepper in 2018.
- R1 is designed to aid, not replace, human staff.
Entities
Institutions
- Palazzo Madama
- House of Savoy
- Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)
- Project Convince
- European Union
- Smithsonian
- Versailles
- Palais Populaire
Locations
- Turin
- Italy
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Berlin
- Germany