
Sarah Terreri, Head of Collaborative Projects at PAL Robotics, has played a key role in shaping the direction of our company’s progress, by fostering collaboration with Europe’s academic, scientific, and tech communities. In this interview, she discusses her journey from civil engineering to robotics, her first experiences at PAL Robotics, and her vision for the company’s future.
What initially attracted you to the field of robotics, and what made you decide to join PAL Robotics?
What initially drew me here was my passion for technology. I am a civil engineer, and I am deeply interested in anything that looks toward the future. I joined PAL Robotics in 2017, thanks to my experience with applied projects for the European Union in the renewable energy sector, but robotics is one of the best fields for driving disruptive technologies in that sense. Robotics is a highly fascinating field from a research perspective due to its complexity and the number of different scientific areas involved and I’m very proud I have the chance to give my contribution to the research in this field, that will help to solve complex challenges in our society.
What were your initial roles and responsibilities?
My role did not change much, to be honest, but now we’re a team, which changes everything and gives us a lot of strength. Initially, I was solely responsible for preparing R&D proposals to the European Commission for funding and managing the ongoing projects. Thankfully we were very successful, and now we’re a team of seven people.
I also lead the Project Managers team, overseeing the management of our non-publicly funded internal initiatives. This means that, based on the demands we receive from European projects and collaborations, I can have a clear view of the internal developments we need to pursue independently to stay ahead of what’s expected of our robots. Generally, we ensure that the R&D projects we submit to the European Commission are well aligned with our internal roadmap to avoid wasting efforts, so that is also part of my role.

What was your first impression of PAL Robotics?
PAL Robotics is a company with enormous potential! One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing how motivated people are in this sector. For people who work in robotics, this is more than just a job – it’s a life mission, a game, a pleasurable challenge. This surely is a big strength of the company. When I first arrived at PAL Robotics, I felt like I was joining a family, in some ways. Here everyone comes together with the necessary effort and talent to solve a specific problem. We work as one to achieve the goal of creating robots that function and genuinely improve people’s lives, which is one of PAL Robotics’ core values.

Your joining PAL Robotics opened the company to the world of collaborative projects. Since then, we have been part of over 50 projects, allowing us to test our robots in various environments and adapt them to different needs. What has it been like to bring such an important aspect of robot development to the company? Where do you envision PAL Robotics in the next 20 years?
Our department’s role is quite interesting because we need to respond to Europe’s demands – scientists, researchers, and experts shape the specific research agenda and dictate where funding should be directed and this gives us a great deal of forward-looking perspective. In some way, my role is to bring the expectations of the entire European scientific, academic, and technological robotics community into PAL Robotics, and help shape the long-term strategic priorities that the European Commission sets and robotics can help pursue.
In this sense, in the next 20 years I see PAL Robotics continue to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research, driving advancements in robotics and AI on a European and global scale.
Moreover, I see PAL Robotics as a leader in service robotics, also thanks to what we learn from these projects not only for contemporary applications but also for maintaining a forward-looking approach.

To which of previous and/or current PAL Robotics robot do you relate the most to?
I relate most to TIAGo, because in my role, I often need to be adaptable and capable of handling a wide variety of projects. Much like TIAGo, who is designed to perform an array of tasks – from assisting in research and development to navigating complex environments and interacting with humans – I find myself constantly switching between different types of challenges and responsibilities. Whether it’s collaborating with teams, managing projects, or problem-solving, the flexibility and multi-functional capabilities that define TIAGo resonate with my own approach to work
As PAL Robotics continues to innovate and expand its horizons, it’s clear that leaders like Sarah Terreri are a fundamental part of our progress. Her dedication to collaborative projects and her knowledge of what’s being developed throughout Europe puts our company in a strong position to identify and help shape the future of robotics. With her leadership, the future looks bright, and PAL Robotics is set to remain a pioneering force for years to come.