IROS 2024: MENA’s First Major Robotics and AI Conference Opens in Abu Dhabi
The 36th IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) officially opened in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone for the UAE and the MENA region as it hosts its first major global conference on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Organized by Khalifa University of Science and Technology and supported by local and international stakeholders, the event runs until 18 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).
Dignitaries including H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dhahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and other key UAE officials, attended the opening and toured the exhibition. The event brings together over 4,000 participants, engaging in knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing cutting-edge technologies in robotics and AI.
Highlights from the Opening
In their welcome address, Dr. Jorge Dias, General Chair of IROS 2024, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, General Co-Chair, praised Abu Dhabi's transformation into a global hub for technological advancement. Dr. Dias emphasized the conference theme, "Robotics for Sustainable Development," and hailed Abu Dhabi as a city where technology and nature coexist in harmony.
Plenary and Keynote Sessions
The plenary session was delivered by Professor Oussama Khatib from Stanford University, focusing on “Human-Robot Collaboration: Extreme Environments, Healthcare, and the Workplace”. The keynote session, moderated by Dr. Yahya Zweiri, covered “Speeding up Flying Machines,” featuring insights from:
- Professor Davide Scaramuzza, University of Zurich, on “Drone Racing: From a Game to Real World Impact”
- Professor Guido De Croon, TU Delft, on “Neuromorphic AI for Bio-Inspired Agile Flight”
- Dr. Giuseppe Loianno, New York University, on “Enhancing Aerial Autonomy through Agility and Collaboration”
- Dr. Mirko Kovac, Imperial College London, on “Drones for Environmental Health”
- Professor Naira Hovakimyan, UIUC, on “Safe Learning in Autonomous Systems”
Workshops and Challenges
The first day of IROS 2024 featured 16 workshops, 300 paper presentations, and challenges in Robotic Construction, Underwater Robotics, AI Olympics, and autonomous racing. The event also hosted a forum on "Robotics and AI for a Sustainable World", further emphasizing the role of robotics in addressing global challenges.
IROS 2024 showcases how robotics and AI are poised to transform industries, foster innovation, and promote sustainability across the globe, with Abu Dhabi emerging as a key player in this technological revolution.
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