Dear Euron members,

As of January 1st, 2007, Henrik Christensen starts his fulltime job at Georgia Tech, and steps back as Coordinator for the Network. Last November, the Euron Board has selected me to become Henrik's successor, for all technical and scientific aspects of running the network. Because we chose to avoid the huge overhead of transfering also all legal and administrative responsibilities to K.U.Leuven, KTH will remain responsible for these matters.

It is my great pleasure to thank Henrik for the formidable work he has done in creating and running EURON, and in putting our Network clearly on the international robotics scene. His vision and perseverance will be sorely missed, and his departure is a great loss for EURON. Fortunately, Jeanna Ayoubi has agreed to remain administrative contact for EURON, so the transition will undoubtedly run smoothly.

I hope you will all keep your enthusiasm for EURON, and will continue to contribute to its success. A success that, in the first place, should be your success, in leveraging the EURON Network to improve your international cooperations, your exchanges of students and knowledge, your chances to be partner in stimulating new research projects, in transfering your technological know-how into industrial applications, etc. In the coming weeks, we will provide details of the major EURON initiatives: the Annual Meeting (28-29 March 2007, in Chania, Crete); a Call for small but innovative Research projects; a Call for Special Interest Groups; the European Robotics Symposium (Prague, 2008); and a discussion about the future of EURON.

I will do my best to become a worthy successor to Henrik. Let me start by wishing you a happy and successful 2007!

Best regards,

Herman Bruyninckx