Acknowledgments
Finally...after three years...here I am: at a conclusion of a fantastic experience for
which I have many people to thank.
First, I deeply thank my advisor Dr. Vincenzo Lippiello. Since my master
thesis, his patience, kindness and invaluable support have been the key point for
my professional growth. He has been my reference point in this whole new world
for me and thanks to his passion and devotion for the research I could move on in
the most difficult moments.
I am thankful also to Prof. Luigi Villani whose scrupulousness and advices
helped me a lot in the development of my researches.
I have to say a huge "thank you" also to Prof. Bruno Sicliano: I discovered
the "robotic world" through his classes. Moreover, he made possible this Ph.D
experience and all my travelings all around the world.
A key point in my life has been represented by the period I spent at North-
western University under the supervision of Prof. Kevin Lynch. In this period I
grew up both from a personal than from a professional point of view. For this, I
have to deeply thank Prof.Lynch: his patience, kindness, passion and experience
helped me a lot beyond the "simple" research activities.
Further, I have to mention all LIMS people who made me feel as at home.
I have to thank also my "local colleagues" of the PRISMA group. They enjoyed
with me a lot of time also out of the "standard" situations and working days.
I am also grateful to my Doctorate School, in the persons of Prof. Luigi Pietro
Cordella first and then Prof. Francesco Garofalo.
I thank also all the professors, young colleagues, students and friends met
during these years in summer schools, European projects meetings and in the
robotics conferences and seminars.
My family: initially they did not believe this experience could be useful for me,
but during these three years they changed their minds. Nevertheless, I've never
felt missing their support, and this allowed me not to give up.
I am thankful also to all my friends for the nice time spent with them: they
distracted me when it was useful to restore and fortify myself. Mention all of them
in these few lines is impossible...but they know!
Last but absolutely not least, the biggest "thank you" (...if this does not hurt
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