Plenary and Keynote Speakers Highlight ‘Human-Robot Collaboration’ and ‘Speeding up Flying Machines’

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 15 October 2024 – The 36th edition of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) officially opened in Abu Dhabi today, emphatically illustrating the advanced state of research and innovation in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Hosted by Khalifa University of Science and Technology and supported by various local and international stakeholders, IROS 2024 will run until 18 October at the Abu Dhabi national Exhibition Center (ADNEC).
Among the officials who visited the event and toured the exhibition include Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dhahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, His Excellency Engineer Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, H.E. Dr. Hamad Al Yahyai, Advisor to the Minister of Education and Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Program at the Ministry of Education, H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), H.E. Abdulla Ghurair Al Qubaisi as Director General of International Fund for Houbara Conservation, H.E. Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi, Director General of Operational Affairs, H.E. Engineer Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, H.E. Mohamed Alqadi, Director General of Strategic Affairs, H.E. Major General Dr. Rashid Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), H.E. Dr. Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al Anzi, associated with the GCC Emergency Management Center, and H.E Ali Rashid Al Neyadi, Director General of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

Others included Nasser Obaid Al Nasseri, CEO of Barakah One Company, Rashed Humaid Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Media, and Salem Mohammed Hamad Salem Al Darei, CEO of Abu Dhabi Global Market Authority.

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The event has gathered more than 4,000 delegates and participants who will engage in knowledge exchange in addition to sharing of expertise and networking. An elite club of plenary and keynote speakers offered their perspectives on the increasing role of robotics that spans industries and economic segments.
In their welcome address, Dr. Jorge Dias, General Chair, IROS 2024, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, General Co-Chair, spoke about how Abu Dhabi has evolved over the years into a modern technology-driven metropolis, utilizing innovations to preserve its culture, heritage and natural resources, while attracting global talent and expertise to establish itself as a destination for academics, research, and scientific exploration.
Dr. Dias said: “I stand here as the General Chair of this special edition of IROS, the first in the MENA region, and gathered here are the brightest minds from around the world, drawn to Abu Dhabi, the land of opportunities. Known for being the safest city globally, Abu Dhabi is rapidly growing and integrating nature with technology. In fact, 'Robotics for Sustainable Development,' the theme for IROS 2024, reflects this harmony.”
Dr. Al Hammadi said: “Technology advancements deeply intertwine with heritage
influencing daily life for people and the environment alike in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The country has not forgotten its roots just because today’s life offers advanced technology amenities. For example, our scientists have developed a houbara robotic bird for conservation efforts, combining tradition with cutting-edge technology. These decoys gather crucial data without disturbing nature, helping researchers learn more about this special bird.”
The plenary session was delivered by Professor Oussama Khatib, Stanford University, United States, who offered his insights on ‘Human-Robot Collaboration: Extreme Environments, Health Care, and the Workplace’.
In their keynotes on ‘Speeding up Flying Machines’, moderated by Dr. Yahya Zweiri, Professor, Director, Aerospace Research and Innovation (ARIC), Khalifa University, Professor Davide Scaramuzza, University of Zurich, Switzerland, covered ‘Drone Racing: from a Game to Real World Impact’, while Professor Guido De Croon, TU Delft, Netherlands, focused on ‘Neuromorphic AI for bio-inspired, agile flight’.
Dr. Giuseppe Loianno, Professor, New York University, US, highlighted ‘Enhancing Aerial Autonomy through Agility and Collaboration’, while Dr. Mirko Kovac, Professor, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)-Empa campus, Imperial College London-Switzerland, shared his perspectives on ‘Drones for Environmental Health’. Professor Naira Hovakimyan, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), US, spoke about ‘Safe Learning in Autonomous Systems’.
Practice sessions also started during the day for Robotic Construction Challenge, and Underwater Robotics Challenges, as well as for AI Olympics With RealAIGym, The Earth Rovers Challenge, Automatic Data Annotation Challenge, and Falcon Monitoring System. At the same time, practice sessions continued for euROBIN Manipulation, F1 Tenth Autonomous Racing Competition, and IEEE/RAS Quadruped Robot Challenge (QRC).
There were 16 workshops, the forum on ‘Robotics and AI for a Sustainable World’, and nearly 300 paper and poster presentations during the day, highlighting the diverse nature of robotics, its role in different areas and innovations that will be coming to transform the way humans interact with the machines.
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