On behalf of all the organizers of the Fifth Edition of the International IEEE Forum on Research and Technologies for Society and Industry (IEEE RTSI 2019, 9–12 September), we welcome you to the historic and beautiful Florence, Italy.
The RTSI forum is the flagship conference of the IEEE Italy Section and represents the annual gathering of researchers and industry professionals in the field of electrical, electronic, and information science and engineering. Specifically, the main purposes of the event are:

• to promote and to strengthen partnerships and cooperation between academia and industry;
• to increase the public's understanding and awareness of how engineering and technology can positively affect quality of life;
• to promote discussion between the research community and government bodies about effective and successful research policies;
• to disseminate recent advancements, discoveries and applications;
• to discuss ideas and to promote cooperation between researchers working in different research areas.

Also this year, the theme chosen for RTSI is “Innovation to shape the future”. Without any question, the innovation in electrical, electronic, and information science and engineering has strongly transformed our society in recent decades, and the main purpose of RTSI is to take up such a challenge and to foster excellence in technological innovation.
RTSI includes panels, technical sessions, tutorials, special events and exhibitions, as reported in detail in the technical program. In particular, the technical sessions are organized into three main tracks of great interest and relevance:

Smart Energy;

Smart Mobility, Logistics and Environment;

Industry 4.0.

As such, we are very proud of our technical program this year. The RTSI organization was a complex task due to the large and increasing interest of our research and application areas. Efforts from many people were required to shape the technical program, arrange accommodations, manage the administrative aspects, and set up the social functions. We like to take this opportunity to thank all and each of them.
Dr. Sophie Tarbouriech, Research Director at LAAS-CNRS, Toulouse, France will start the forum on Monday, September 9, 2019 with the key note: “Some ingredients on dynamical systems subject to constraints”. We are honored to have her as plenary speakers and thank her in advance for coming to our conference to share her knowledge and experience with us.
This year we have the technical co-sponsorship of the IEEE Region 8, of the Croatia, France, Israel, Switzerland and UK&Ireland Sections, of the IEEE Entrepreneurship, and of several IEEE Italy Section Chapters, beside the patronage of numerous Italian University Associations.
We like also to thank all the public and private organizations that supported the meeting in different ways.
Several Awards will be assigned during the Award Ceremony to recognize the important work and contribution of our colleagues. Awards will be also assigned to young researchers with the aim of encouraging them to carry on their activity.
Enjoy the fellowship of colleagues and experts, and spend some free time in the midst of natural and artistic beauty. We will appreciate your important feedback on the conference organization that represents for us the best way to improve the quality of RTSI, and to achieve lasting excellence. It is therefore with great honor and pride that we welcome you to Florence, Italy, and to RTSI 2019. We hope that you enjoy both your participation in the conference and your stay in beautiful Florence.

Sincerely,

Bernardo Tellini, General and IEEE Italy Section Chair

Alberto Reatti, General Chair