From Research to Reality: VIPPSTAR Partners Meet in Rovereto

On 11-12 May 2026, partners of the VIPPSTAR project gathered in Rovereto, Italy, for the project's fourth Consortium Meeting. Hosted by the University of Trento, the meeting brought together researchers, clinicians, technology developers, and organisations from across Europe to review scientific progress, share emerging results, and advance the development of personalised solutions for children and adolescents with visual impairments.

Scientific advances driving innovation

The meeting showcased new findings across several areas of research. Partners presented results from focus groups conducted in Belgium, Italy, and Moldova, exploring body image, self-identity, and the experiences of adolescents with visual impairments. Progress was also shared on the project's co-design methodology, new eye-tracking methodologies, and social cognition research, helping to strengthen the scientific foundations of future VIPPSTAR interventions and technologies.

Another key milestone was the advancement of VIPPSTAR-NET, the future European registry for childhood visual impairment, which aims to strengthen collaboration, improve data collection, and support more personalised approaches to care and intervention across Europe.

From research to solutions

The scientific work presented during the meeting is directly informing a range of technologies and resources currently under development within the project.

Key developments included:

• The VIPPSTAR Avatar, a multimodal digital companion incorporating voice-based interaction, designed to support autonomy, healthy routines, physical activity, and nutrition;
• The Food Reader, an AI-based system designed to recognise food items from images and provide indicative nutritional information, with the aim of supporting healthier dietary choices;
• JOYVision and the I-Vision game redesign, developed through extensive co-design activities involving children, families, and experts;
• The VIPPSTAR MOOC, an online learning programme providing age-specific resources for parents, educators, and professionals;
• VIPPSTAR-G1, a telerehabilitation platform for home-based support and early intervention for children from 0 to 3 years of age.

Alongside the presentations, partners showcased these tools and resources through demonstrations and posters, allowing participants to explore developments ranging from the G1 telerehabilitation platform and the JOYVision serious game to AI applications, the multimodal digital companion, eye-tracking technologies, and specialised smart textile materials.

The Human Factor

The meeting also provided opportunities for dialogue with local organisations, stakeholders, and Paralympic athletes, helping connect scientific and technological developments with practical experience and real-world needs.

The afternoon session at Manifattura brought together children and young people with visual impairments, their families, facilitators, sport trainers, and project partners for demonstrations and interactive play activities centred on the VIPPSTAR physical activity protocol.

Paralympians Giacomo Bertagnolli and Jessica Toigo shared their experiences as elite athletes, reflecting on the role of sport in building confidence, independence, social connections, and opportunities for personal growth. Their contribution highlighted how participation in physical activity can support wellbeing, autonomy, and inclusion throughout different stages of life, echoing many of the themes explored throughout the project.

Representatives from Abilnova, a leading regional organisation for persons with visual and hearing impairments brought the stakeholder perspective to the discussions, sharing expectations and insights from user communities. As they noted, “Technology needs to be accompanied by expertise, care, and purpose, and developed through the encounter of different professional perspectives. More than anything, users need to be involved from the very beginning of the design process.”

Looking ahead

The Rovereto meeting provided partners with a shared basis for the next phase of the project, as VIPPSTAR moves from co-design and early development towards integration, testing, and evaluation of its solutions in real-world contexts.