This year, Rotterdam is hosting the large-scale festive celebration of forty years of ICRA (International Conference on Robotics and Automation). Several thousand attendees will visit the Maasstad in September for a substantive program, but, as initiator Professor Stefano Stramigioli emphasizes, it is above all a celebration of 40 years of ICRA.
Professor Stefano Stramigioli and his team have taken on a major task. In September, more than five thousand people will come together to celebrate forty years of ICRA. “It is indeed a tour de force. Normally, it takes ten years to organize something like this. We are now trying to do it in four months.”
Regarding the format, he says, “It will be a mega conference. Despite the short notice, we turned out to be able to go to Rotterdam.” He emphasizes that the format is different from the regular ICRA conference. “It is above all a celebration. We will have a single-track conference with several keynotes. We want to create a connection between academia and industry, among other things. And, of course, there will be debates about what we have achieved and where we are going.”
He is still working on several special components, such as arena discussions. There will also be plenty of social activities, including a dinner for invited guests and a big party for all visitors.
Industrial Robots
ICRA emerged from the IEEE Control Systems Society, the largest technical association in the world. A wide range of technical topics are covered in different societies within this association. The rapidly growing world of robotics has been discussed by ICRA for several decades now. “Since the 1980s, when the first industrial robots emerged, it has always been the place where all major developments in robotics have been presented to colleagues, scientists, and industry.”
A current trend affecting robotics is the rapid evolution of AI and its possible integration with robots. Stramigioli comments, “That is indeed an issue for many people, especially for those who are not really familiar with robotics. I look at it as intelligent systems that are actually stupid. I do think there is a risk of hype, and there is a certain fear of advanced technologies.”
New Paradigm
“But ultimately, it is about the processing of data and the interaction with that data. Many people underestimate the importance of a bidirectional data pipeline. This means that the interaction between humans and machines is not one-sided but works in two directions. This requires a new paradigm to shape it properly.”
The concept of explainable AI is becoming increasingly important. “People need to understand how AI systems make their decisions; otherwise, we cannot develop reliable certification and products. Furthermore, actuators, or the mechanical parts of robots, remain a challenge. The focus is now very much on computational and cognitive capabilities, but we are still far from what human muscles can do. There are major challenges and opportunities here for new technologies and production processes. These are the things that I think will determine what will happen in robotics in the coming years.”
Humanoid Robots
He also looks soberly at the developments in humanoid robots: “That is an interesting subject. Humanoid robots have always been a dream in robotics, but they also pose a major challenge. Expectations are often high, especially from investors who see the potential. From my own discipline, I see that humanoid robots have a lot of potential in applications where human interaction is important.”
“But we also have to be realistic about the limitations. The technology is not yet at a point where humanoid robots are practical and cost-effective on a large scale. There are still many technical obstacles to overcome, especially in the areas of freedom of movement and autonomy.”
Generative AI
“Generative AI can play a role in this by improving the interaction between humans and robots, but here too there are challenges. It is important that we not only focus on what is possible with current technology, but also on what is practical and ethical. We need to ensure that the technology is reliable and safe before we deploy it on a large scale. So while expectations are high, I think we still have a long way to go before humanoid robots become an integral part of our society.”
Future
Returning to the event in Rotterdam, he says: “In addition to being a celebration of forty years of ICRA, it is also a look at the future of robotics and how industry and academia can work together to shape that future. I look forward to seeing how this event will contribute to the further development of robotics and AI. I expect it will be a historic event, where we can show young people the history of the field and how they can build on it.”
“This event will also be of interest to a broader audience than just the technical community. Some panels will be technical, but there will also be general discussions about where we are going. We aim to build a bridge not only between academia and industry but also to society. I am proud that I have the opportunity to organize this.”
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