Reviving Pompeii: A Robotic Renaissance in Fresco Restoration

A pioneering robotic system developed under the EU-funded RePAIR project is revolutionizing the restoration of ancient Roman frescoes in Pompeii. Utilizing AI and advanced robotics, it reassembles fragmented artefacts with precision, promising to transform global restoration practices.

A pioneering robotic system is breathing new life into the shattered frescoes of ancient Pompeii. Developed under the EU-funded RePAIR project, this technology supports archaeologists by accelerating the painstaking task of reassembling fragmented artefacts.

Unveiled at Pompeii on Thursday, the project, coordinated by Venice's Ca' Foscari University, aims to address the necessity of recomposing fresco fragments destroyed during World War II. Researchers applied cutting-edge image recognition and AI, combined with ultra-precise robotic hands, to speed up restoration work.

Experts believe this innovation could transform global restoration practices. The robotic system, equipped with flexible arms and vision sensors, carefully identifies and assembles the fragments without damaging them, akin to solving a complex jigsaw puzzle.

(With inputs from agencies.)