Robotics and Automation MagazineMarch 2005The three Integrated Projects funded as part of the 6th framework "Beyond Robotics" initiative of the Future & Emerging Technologies (FET) division of the Information Society Technologies program of the Information Society Directorate General of the European Commission, described in our previous issue, are in the beginning of their 2nd year but the discussions for new robotics related initiatives for the 6th Research and Technological Development Framework Program have started. As part of this discussion phase, close to 20 experts (40% academia, 60% industry) met with 5 FET officers in Brussels for a brainstorming session on European Robotics, between 8 - 9 November 2004. Based on the fundamental idea that any new initiative must have a clear value to society in terms of addressing future challenges rather than being purely driven by curiosity, four societal challenges were identified:
Those challenges led to five application drivers, defined as robotic systems with significant market potential or socio-economic impact:
The authors of this column want to thank Henrik Christensen and Martin Hägele for providing material for this report. Parties interested in promoting certain activities via this column can contact either Kostas Kyriakopoulos (http://users.ntua.gr/kkyria, kkyria AT central.ntua.gr) or Bruno Siciliano (http://wpage.unina.it/sicilian, siciliano AT unina.it). Contributed by Kostas Kyriakopoulos and Bruno Siciliano |
Getting InvolvedWe hope that you will get involved in many of EURON's activities and encourage others to do so as well. Attend MeetingsAttending meetings is an excellent way of making contacts and friends within the community. These contacts are normally interesting, and may also be useful! EURON Schools are aimed at PhD students so are particularly good for people wishing to deepen an already existing interest. [More details ... ] Contribute to the InitiativesYour knowledge and resources are valuable -- please consider sharing them with others by adding items to the databases, contributing your opinions to the roadmap and benchmarking initiatives, and your information to this website. Especially, please contribute to the Video Collection for Students asap. [More details ... ] Use the ResourcesMake use of the resources that EURON offers. Much of the information is freely available to all, but for other resources you have to be a EURON member. Apply for the grants, use the databases and the contacts, apply for the awards, use the mailing lists.
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