Engineering Workshop: ROBOTICS: NEW DEVELOPMENT, CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

Seminar: 20 March 2006, 13:00-14:00hrs, Engineering Auditorium, NUS

The Human Frontier: Robotics New Quest and Challenge

A new field of robotics is emerging. Robots are today moving towards applications beyond the structured environment of a manufacturing plant. They are making their way into the everyday world that people inhabit - hospitals, offices, homes, construction sites. Interacting, exploring, and working with humans, the new generation of robots will increasingly touch people and their lives. The successful introduction of robots in human environments will rely on the development of competent and practical systems that are dependable, safe, and easy to use. To effectively work, interact, and cooperate with humans, these robots must display abilities and skills that are compatible with those of humans.

The discussion focuses on the ongoing effort for the design and development of human-friendly robots that can safely and naturally interact and work with humans.

Videos of seminar available: Part 1 , Part 2

Forums

20 March 2006, Monday, 15:00-17:00, EA-02-11, NUS

Topic: Human-Friendly Robotics: Design, Safety and Reliability

21 March 2006, Tuesday, 14:00-16:00, EA-02-11, NUS

Topic: Humanoid Robotics

22 March 2006, Wednesday, 14:00-16:00, EA-02-11, NUS

Topic: Robot Motion Planning and Heptics

About the speaker

Professor Oussama Khatib received his Ph.D. in 1980 from Sup'Aero, Toulouse, France. He is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Stanford University. His work is on autonomous robots, human-centered robotics, robot design, virtual dynamic environments, and haptic interactions. His exploration in this research ranges from the autonomous ability of a robot to cooperate with a human to the haptic interaction of a user with an animated character or a surgical instrument.

Professor Khatib was the Program Chair of ICRA2000 (San Francisco) and Co-Editor of “The Robotics Review.” He is the President of the International Foundation of Robotics Research, IFRR, and Co-Editor of STAR, Springer Tracts in Advanced Robotics. Professor Khatib is a “Distinguished Lecturer” of IEEE and a recipient of the JARA Award.