The FITNESS project will realize flexible smart skins able to provide a non-contact sense of “touch”. The envisioned smart skins will operate at microwave frequencies, and the same device will also allow far-field communication. The key technology enabling these functionalities is that of metasurfaces, i.e. structured surfaces that have unusual properties at some frequencies. In this case, they convey and manipulate surface waves, which also can be turned into radiating leaky waves for far- field communications. The FITNESS project encompasses the synthesis of new low-loss flexible microwave substrates, research on the embedded electronics, the analysis and design of metasurfaces on curved structures and data analysis. The first demonstrator will be realized in the field of robotics, while later applications are envisioned in the medical area. Therefore, FITNESS will integrate ultra-low power operation from the beginning. The devices will essentially work through the measurement of the transmittance between a limited number of ports (sparse electronics), through surface waves following the shape of the smart skin which is wrapped around the robot or the body. One of the main societal outputs will consist of a more harmonious cooperation between robots and humans through the constant probing of their respective near-field environments.
FITNESS will use a holistic approach to develop thin (a few mm) integrated smart skins, through a tight exchange between diverse areas: RF front-end circuits, chemistry and polymer materials, flexible substrates, Silicon integration, phased array antennas, metamaterials, numerical modelling, heat management and communication systems. The level of integration between materials and electronics will foster new and long-term scientific collaborations, which are reflected in the diversity of the consortium. The partners comprise leading European universities and research centres in antennas, RF, electronics, robotics and polymer material domains, but also EV-T, a recently founded SME in the high-techfield of electronic integration. The demonstration in the field of robotics and the longer-term healthcare prospects will attract very large EU industry players, and this will be already touched by the Industrial Advisory Board. FITNESS thus fits into a wider plan at European scientific and industry levels, in the strategic area of new sensors and wearable electronics  . Development of “in situ” demonstrators and filing of patents will be central drivers for technology transfer. FITNESS will contribute to bridging the antenna and robotics fields, and leveraging the development of new polymers for sensor FITNESS unites a highly complementary consortium, unique expertise and state of the art facilities, bridging the gap between research and application. All 7 participants have participated in collaborative R&D projects at national and international levels. To reach the highly ambitious FITNESS objectives, a multidisciplinary and complementary team has been gathered with the key European experts, covering electromagnetics, electronics, materials and thermal aspects. The partners represent 3 universities (5 research teams), 2 private companies/SMEs and 2 research centers and cover 4 EU countries. Proper advice through the Advisory Board will be obtained to anticipate ethical issues regarding body-worn applications.

Website: www.fitness-pathfinde.eu
Linked in : FITNESS Pathfinder
Contact: contact@fitness-pathfinder.eu

GA: 101098996

The FITNESS project will realize flexible smart skins able to provide a non-contact sense of “touch”. The envisioned smart skins will operate at microwave frequencies, and the same device will also allow far-field communication. The key technology enabling these functionalities is that of metasurfaces, i.e. structured surfaces that have unusual properties at some frequencies. In this case, they convey and manipulate surface waves, which also can be turned into radiating leaky waves for far- field communications. The FITNESS project encompasses the synthesis of new low-loss flexible microwave substrates, research on the embedded electronics, the analysis and design of metasurfaces on curved structures and data analysis. The first demonstrator will be realized in the field of robotics, while later applications are envisioned in the medical area. Therefore, FITNESS will integrate ultra-low power operation from the beginning. The devices will essentially work through the measurement of the transmittance between a limited number of ports (sparse electronics), through surface waves following the shape of the smart skin which is wrapped around the robot or the body. One of the main societal outputs will consist of a more harmonious cooperation between robots and humans through the constant probing of their respective near-field environments.
FITNESS will use a holistic approach to develop thin (a few mm) integrated smart skins, through a tight exchange between diverse areas: RF front-end circuits, chemistry and polymer materials, flexible substrates, Silicon integration, phased array antennas, metamaterials, numerical modelling, heat management and communication systems. The level of integration between materials and electronics will foster new and long-term scientific collaborations, which are reflected in the diversity of the consortium. The partners comprise leading European universities and research centres in antennas, RF, electronics, robotics and polymer material domains, but also EV-T, a recently founded SME in the high-techfield of electronic integration. The demonstration in the field of robotics and the longer-term healthcare prospects will attract very large EU industry players, and this will be already touched by the Industrial Advisory Board. FITNESS thus fits into a wider plan at European scientific and industry levels, in the strategic area of new sensors and wearable electronics  . Development of “in situ” demonstrators and filing of patents will be central drivers for technology transfer. FITNESS will contribute to bridging the antenna and robotics fields, and leveraging the development of new polymers for sensor FITNESS unites a highly complementary consortium, unique expertise and state of the art facilities, bridging the gap between research and application. All 7 participants have participated in collaborative R&D projects at national and international levels. To reach the highly ambitious FITNESS objectives, a multidisciplinary and complementary team has been gathered with the key European experts, covering electromagnetics, electronics, materials and thermal aspects. The partners represent 3 universities (5 research teams), 2 private companies/SMEs and 2 research centers and cover 4 EU countries. Proper advice through the Advisory Board will be obtained to anticipate ethical issues regarding body-worn applications.