ERF 2021 - Session on AI and Robotics: Intelligent, Learning and Trustworthy Robots

 

13th of April 2021 - 14:05 to 15:25
 


 

 

The 13th of April 2021, the Session on "AI and Robotics: Intelligent, Learning and Trustworthy Robots" will be held within the European Robotics Forum (ERF 2021). The workshop is organized by Andrea Orlandini, Alberto Finzi (Naples University), Marco Huber (IPA Fraunhofer) and Sotiris Makris (LMS Patras University).

 

** Session Program **

- Session Introduction and Questions (SLIDES)

Cecile Huet, Deputy Head AI and Robotics, EU Commission.
Title: "European strategy in AI and Robotics" (SLIDES)
Abstract:
This talk will provide an update about the latest developments about the European AI strategy, in which robotics plays a major role, and information about funding opportunities.

Overview of European Network on Artificial Intelligence (ICT-48 H2020)

Fredrik Heintz TAILOR project, Linkoeping University, Sweden
Title: "Trustworthy AI and Robotics" (SLIDES)
Abstract:
Europe has taken a clear stand that we want AI, but we do not want just any AI. We want AI that we can trust. The successful realization of Trustworthy AI will be paramount for addressing the major challenges we as a global society is facing. This short talk will connect Trustworthy AI and robotics. The talk is partly based on the ongoing work in the H2020 ICT-48 network TAILOR which has the goal of developing the scientific foundations for Trustworthy AI through integrating learning, optimisation and reasoning. "

Josef Sivic, ELLIS Unit Prague, Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics, Czech Technical University, Czech Republic.
Title: "ELISE - European Network of AI Excellence Centres" (SLIDES)
Abstract:
This short talk first overviews the H2020 ICT-48 ELISE network, its objectives, and activity streams. Then a brief update is given about the ELISE pan-European Phd program, mobility programs, and the development of the strategic research agenda with the focus on the relation with robotics. Finally, the talk introduces the ELISE case-study program and the open call for SMEs and start-ups to apply for mini-projects employing machine learning techniques to their high-impact use-cases. Robotics SMEs and start-ups are encouraged to apply.

Rita Cucchiara, Director of the Italian National CINI Laboratory on Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Title: "Human-Centric AI, for human and AI future Interaction" (SLIDES)
Abstract: 
The talk presents the status of activities in the humanE-AI net European project in the ict-48 call, for stressing both AI themes on AI for humans and about humans and the direct implication in future synergies between AI and robotics.

- Audience feedback

- Final Discussion

** Motivations and Aims **

Robotics is one of the most appealing and natural application area for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) research community. Advances in AI research in Robotics applications are fostering key enabling technologies such as, for instance, decisional and long term autonomy, learning, adaptability, interaction ability, dependability, and (more in general) cognitive abilities in Robotic platforms. Therefore, it seems essential for AI and Robotics research communities to respond to the challenges that these applications pose and contribute to the advance of intelligent robotics.

This ERF Session has been held during the last four years (ERF20, ERF19, ERF18 and ERF17) enlarging the scope considering also new frontiers related to Machine Learning (ML), an uprising branch of artificial intelligence that enables a robot to autonomously learn, e.g., an optimal task execution through trial-and-error interaction with its environment or learning by the human demonstration. The union of ML with classic model-based solutions such as, e.g., automated planning and execution, seems now ready to be integrated. Although impressive results have already been achieved in separate fields, they are so far often limited to laboratory conditions. For rolling out innovative, effective and safe solutions for learning and planning in robot control to industrial applications, further improvements and research is required. This workshop aims at identifiying major limitations of frontiers in the state-of-the-art.

As a more concrete goal, this proposal aims to provide an opportunity for researchers, innovators and industries communities to discuss about current results in EU funded projects, common interests and efforts, figure out shared challenges and discuss expectations about future developments in AI and Robotics. In this perspective, the aim of this ERF workshop is to facilitate interactions between researchers and practitioners in AI and Robotics, pushing recent technological advancements out of the laboratories for deploying a new generation of Intelligent Robots endowed with flexible, adaptive and goal-oriented behaviors, long-term autonomy, advanced interaction with humans in structured collaborative activities. Such synergies are also to foster the creation of new collaborations.

 

More info here

AI & Robotics Sessions in Past ERF: