L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013 www.italoamericano.com 15 The best pizza? Now it is made by a revolutionary Italian robot Continued from page 1 Rodyman could be used to give assistance to the elderly or to repair human hearts. "'Til now explained Bruno Siciliano, - the manipulation of deformable objects, such as food or clothing, or soft tissues like muscles or the skin in surgical interventions, has not been studied enough; this represents a true challenge for robotics". Rodyman will have a torso, two light arms and two hands with multiple fingers. Deprived of legs, he will be mounted on a multidirectional base placed on wheels. The head will be endowed with stereoscopic videocameras, movement sensors, and a structured system of lights. According to its planners, Rodyman will be able to interact perfectly with human beings, and to copy human gestures and movements. "The preparation of the pizza is a pretext that hides the concept of manipulation", says Siciliano, who is professor of the Department of Automatic Electrical Engineering and Technologies at the Federico II University of Naples. "Robots already replace us in a lot of fields, but in industrial robotics, Attention Clubs and Organizations! Your Calendar item submissions are welcome. Items are due no later than three weeks prior to the date of the event. They may be emailed to linda@italoamericano . All submissions must include: Event, date, time and address of the event, brief description, as well as a phone number or website for additional information. Subject to editor's review and space availability. Not all items submitted will be published. Professor Bruno Siciliano who invented the Rodyman Robota the devices for grasping have been limited to pliers or to hands with three fingers that succeed in interacting with solid objects. We want to take robotics into the future through discovering how the human hand works when it contacts and manipulates deformable objects, and reproduce this sensitive aspect of the human hand". This is a sector in which Italy occupies a prominent position. The Neapolitan University is among the Italian flagships of this work, along with Genoa, Bologna, Pisa and Rome. The Rodyman project started last June, upon being awarded €2.5 million for a five year period, which will conclude in 2018. Nevertheless it remains difficult to secure the funds required to implement these projects. Of course the aim of the robot is not to make pizza, even if, as professor Siciliano recalled, "we asked one of the best Neapolitan pizza makers to wear a bio-kinetic suite, endowed with sensors and systems able to capture 3D movement, in order to learn the human movements required to prepare and cook the best pizza". Record of export for Italian pasta. The US market covers 13% of our products Continued from page 1 costs. The situation for farmers is made more difficult by lack of regulation in labeling requirements, which do not require disclosure of product origin, and make it possible to class as Italian, products made with ingredients imported from other countries. At risk is food safety, the state of the environment, and the ability of farmers to keep their operations going. The top market for Italian pasta is Europe, which absorbs 73% of pasta exports. Next in line is the United States, at 13% of the total, followed by the rest of the world at 14%. The fastest growing market for Italian pasta is China, where this year imports of Italian pasta have seen a 60% increase. Overall Italy is the world's top pasta producer with an estimated 3.3 million tons worth 4.6 billion euros (followed by the US with 2 million tons and Brazil with 1 million tons). At 1.9 million tons, Italy is also the world's top pasta exporter. Despite the growth in the global taste for pasta, Italy also continues to be the largest per capita consumer of pasta, with 26 kilos per person per year. This is three times the consumption of Americans, Greeks, or French, five times the levels of pasta consumed by Germans or Spaniards, and 16 times the volume consumed by the Japanese. Behind Italy, the world's biggest "eaters" of pasta are Venezuela, with 13 kilos a year, and Tunisia, with 12 kilos a year. Also deserving of mention is the growth of pasta consumption in the United States where, according to a study realized by National Pasta Association, 77% of American consumers include pasta in a meal at least once weekly, and 33% eat pasta at least 3 times/week. Nov. 10, Sun.- Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Open House (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). 9 am to 1 pm hosted by the Knights of Columbus, Burbank. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. Nov. 10, Sun.- ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. Nov. 10, Sun.- Feast of San Trifone at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Procession follows; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 323-257-0302 Nov. 13, Wed.- St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. Nov. 16, Sat.-Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Casa De Pizza (16161 S.F. Mission Blvd., Granada Hills, CA ). 11:30 am. For information call (805) 529-9726 Nov. 17, Sun.-Italian Catholic Federation Annual Bishops' Day and Chaplain Recognition Mass and Luncheon. Honoring His Holiness Pope Francis and all the Bishops and Clergy of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. At Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles, CA). For information and reservations, contact Al Restivo (818) 952-1969. Nov. 17, Sun.-Club Italia's 45th Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Knollwood Country Club (12024 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344). Our band is The Sicilian Band! Time: 6:30pm. Cost per person: $60.00-includes Valet Parking. Call Sigrid Ravizza for reservations by October 30th at (661) 297-0507 or (818) 426-1489. Nov. 17, Sun.- Small Feast of Madonna di Costantinopoli at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm; Reservations: 818-843-1477 Nov 17, Sun. - Saddleback Valley Lodge #2566 - 29th Anniversary Dinner Dance - Mission Viejo Country Club. 12 Noon - Dinner will include Primo e Secondo Piatto, Insalata, Dolce plus soft drink and coffee. Price $45.00. Reservations please call: Teresa at (949) 830-0351. Nov. 17, Sun.-Italian Cultural Arts Council~ Presents ~Cinema Italiano! Film: Vincere (2009) is a film that is based on the life of the first wife of Benito Mussolini (Not rated, 2 hours length, In Italian with English subtitles). It was the only Italian film in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Where: Bowers Museum 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706. In the stateof-the art, ultra deluxe Norma Kershaw Auditorium. COST: Adults $10, Students: $5 (no need to RSVP). SCHEDULE: Arrival: 1:302:00 pm, Reception/Refreshments Seating in Auditorium: 1:45 pm, Program Begins: 2:00 pm. For more information (714) 567-3600. Nov. 18, Mon.-ICF Branch #67 Dinner Meeting 6pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, L.A., 90012). $15.00 per person. For reservations contact: Nick M. D'Egidio (President) (562) 9472819, Guy Masciotra (Life Member Emeritus, Past Present) (818) 848-1862, or Pat Mages (Recording Secretary) (805) 492-9658. Nov. 21, Thurs.-Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California General Meeting. Officer Election for 2014-15. At Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). 7:00pm Dinner ($15 pp), 8:00pm Meeting. Please RSVP by Monday before meeting to: Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764, Palmie Crispie (818) 246-5749 or annpotenza@aol.com. Nov. 20, Wed.-Abruzzesi & Molisani di California Dinner Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Villa Scalabrini. The cost of the dinner is $15.00. For reservations, please call Adelio Di Gregorio at (818) 985-0951 or Sam Petrilli at (818) 768-1956. Nov. 22, Fri.-Santa Lucia Society Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Mass 6:00 pm St. Peter's Italian Church; Reservations: 323-257-2182 Nov. 24, Sun.-Famiglia Sacro Cuore di Gesù Society Annual Christmas Party at Casa Italiana. Mass at 11am. Children's luncheon will start promptly at 1pm. Santa Claus will arrive at 3pm. Music and Dancing for all ages by Ross Creation D.J. Please bring an unwrapped toy ($15 min.) to be donated to a less privileged child. The gifts will be distibuted by St. Peter's Italian Catholic Church. Tickets cost: $40/adult, $15/Children 10-14 years. Children 9 & under are FREE. For information and reservations contact Leda Santillo-Bloomfield (818) 241-2486, Mary Lou Santillo-Jones (818) 632-4437 or Maria D'Egidio (562) 947-2819 or email san1nicola@yahoo.com. Seating is limited so reserve early. Reservations must be made in advance by Nov. 18.

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