At the International Conference on Information and Software Technologies (ICIST 2025), held on October 16–17 and hosted by the Kaunas University of Technology Faculty of Informatics, keynote speaker Dr. Gionata Salvietti introduced the audience to a vision of the future where technology can be felt – quite literally. In his address, he shared insights into haptic interfaces and explained how they transform how humans interact with machines.
When Haptics Went Mainstream
As Dr. Salvietti sees it, the next decade will be transformative for haptics – technologies that allow people to feel digital objects as if they were real. “There are a lot of possibilities,” he says. “A growing number of companies are now entering this field, and the market is very active.”
G. Salvietti explains that major technological players such as Meta, Apple, and Microsoft are investing heavily in this area. “When these big companies start investing, it means integration is coming soon,” he notes. “What once belonged to specialized research labs is now moving into society.”
When Research Takes an Unexpected Turn
Among his many projects, one stands out for its creativity and surprising outcome – the so-called “sixth finger”. The original idea, he explains, was to extend the human hand’s workspace by adding an extra robotic finger. “The idea was completely different at the beginning,” he says. “But then we realized how useful it could be for assistance – helping people recover abilities they had lost.”
The scientist emphasizes that innovations like this only reach society when robotics specialists communicate beyond their labs. If they speak only among themselves, their creations remain confined to research and never leave the laboratory.
Limitless Vision for Human Recovery
If given unlimited resources, Gionata would dedicate his time to assistive robotics without hesitation. This choice stems from a profound personal experience when working directly with patients.
A Future You Can Feel
Gionata Salvietti believes that events like ICIST 2025 play a crucial role in shaping that future. It provides a space for genuine discussion and collaboration between researchers, engineers, and innovators from different fields. Gionata suggests that small conferences, bringing together a diverse group of people, are essential for fostering new connections and generating fresh ideas. “When there are 10,000 people at a big conference, you end up talking to the same fifty,” he laughs. “But when there are a hundred, meaningful conversations happen.”
As haptic technology evolves, Salvietti envisions a world where touch becomes a central part of our digital experiences. From virtual reality to rehabilitation, from entertainment to accessibility, the line between physical and virtual will become thinner and more human. “Soon,” he says with a smile, “everyone will be talking about haptics.” And perhaps that’s the true message behind his keynote – that innovation begins not only with technology but also with human connection.
