Piaggio Fast Forward Adds MIT's CSAIL Director, Daniela Rus, to Advisory Board

Daniela is a long-time expert in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, mobile computing and data science, with a specific focus on integrating these technologies into daily life. She currently serves as the Andrew (1956) and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) at MIT. She is also a member of the Toyota Research Institute advisory board.

"Daniela's deep-seated understanding and passion for how science and machines can further support and enable humans will make her an invaluable asset to the PFF team," said Jeffrey Schnapp, CEO, Piaggio Fast Forward. "We are delighted to have her guidance as we march forward on our mission help people move better, further and faster, in ways that have not been possible before." 

PFF debuted its initial core mobility product, Gita, in 2017. Gita is a mobile-carrier that follows people on the go, carrying up to 44 pounds and encouraging a mobile lifestyle for anyone who wants to move with ease, from millennials and parents to seniors and disabled individuals; it's your answer for getting out the door without grabbing for your car keys. PFF seeks to promote walkable, livable, vibrant communities filled with enhanced transportation options that enrich the lives of everyone.

"It's an honor to have Daniela join our board," said Piaggio Fast Forward Chairman, Michele Colaninno. "She is one of the world's leading researchers in robotics and AI and is at the forefront of human-robot interaction. Daniela shares a vision we believe at PFF: a future where machines are integrated into the fabric of everyday human life and that they improve our quality of life at work, home and play."

"PFF's visionary ideas behind Gita are defining a new era of personalized mobile-carriers. Gita will help us carry everything from groceries to books, luggage and more," said Daniela Rus.

Rus is a Class of 2002 MacArthur Fellow and a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the recipient of the 2017 Engelberger Robotics Award from the Robotics Industries Association. She earned her PhD in Computer Science from Cornell University.

Daniela joins current board members Nicholas Negroponte (founder of the MIT Media Lab), John Hoke (VP Global Design, Nike), Doug Brent (VP Technology Innovation, Trimble) and Jeff Linnell (former Director of Robotics, Google X).

About Piaggio Fast Forward:
PFF was founded in 2015 by the Piaggio Group to pioneer the intelligent movement of people and goods. The company's mission is to help people move better, further and faster, in ways that have not been possible before. PFF's core product is Gita, a mobile-carrier that follows active people on the go carrying up to 44 pounds. Gita encourages a mobile lifestyle for anyone who wants to move with ease, from millennials and parents to seniors and disabled individuals; it's your answer for getting out the door without grabbing for your car keys. PFF seeks to promote walkable, livable, vibrant communities filled with enhanced transportation options that enrich the lives of everyone. PFF is based in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.piaggiofastforward.com or follow the company @P_F_F

Contact:
Jackie Zupsic - [email protected] – 805.698.5060 

SOURCE Piaggio Fast Forward

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