Social Events / Networking
Overview
The Interactive Lunch Sessions at the ICRA@40 conference provide a unique platform for engaging with leading figures in academia and industry. Each session is designed to foster dynamic discussions and debates on the latest trends and innovations in robotics and automation.
Arena-style seating for enhanced interaction
Schedule and Format
➔ Monday 23rd: Lunch & Debate with Academic Leaders
➔ Tuesday 24th: Lunch & Debate with Innovators
➔ Wednesday 25th: Lunch & Debate with Rising Stars
➔ Thursday 26th: Lunch & Debate with Industry Experts
– Duration: 1 hour per day
– Participants: 80 participants per session (first come first served)
– Setup: Arena-style seating for enhanced interaction
– Moderator to guide discussions and maintain engagement
Two speakers per session with contrasting work/ideas. Speakers will have a few minutes to present the topic using a demonstrator or a representative video.
Speakers end their talks with a provocative question or statement to spark immediate reactions and set the tone for the debate.
The moderator opens the floor for debate with the audience. The debate happens between the audience and the speakers.
– 13:15 PM – 13:20 PM: Welcome and Introduction by Moderator
– 13:20 PM – 13:30 PM: Speaker 1 – Presentation and Pitch
– 13:30 PM – 13:40 PM: Speaker 2 – Presentation and Pitch
– 13:40 PM – 14:15 PM: Open Debate and Q&A Session
DAY 1 • Monday 23
Lunch & Debate with Academic Leaders
Theme: Bridging Minds and Machines: Advancing Trust and Human Features in Robotics and Automation
Speakers:
1. Teaching humans to rely on robots – Lorenzo Masia, Heidelberg University
Exploring how to design and develop robots that seamlessly integrate into human environments, encouraging users to trust and depend on robotic assistance for various tasks.
2. Teaching robots to mimic humans – Donghuei Lee, TU Wien
Exploring how endowing robots with human-like traits can transform robotic performances, pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve in daily settings.
Moderators: Enrica Tricomi (Heidelberg University), Federico Masiero (Heidelberg University)
DAY 2 • Tuesday 24
Lunch & Debate with Innovators
Theme: From Vision to Reality: Addressing the Real-World Challenges in Robotics Innovation
Speakers:
1. Envisioning Tomorrow: The Bold Future of Robotics and Its Potential – Mohan Rajesh Elara, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Explore the transformative visions for the future of robotics, focusing on cutting-edge technologies and speculative advancements.
2. Reality Check: Overcoming Practical Barriers in Robotics Innovation – Francesco Ferro, CEO of PAL Robotics
Explore practical challenges encountered by innovators in turning their concepts into viable products.
Moderators: Enrica Tricomi (Heidelberg University), Khurana Harshit (EPFL)
DAY 1 • Monday 23
Lunch & Debate with Academic Leaders
Theme: Bridging Minds and Machines: Advancing Trust and Human Features in Robotics and Automation
Speakers:
1. Teaching humans to rely on robots – Lorenzo Masia, Heidelberg University
Exploring how to design and develop robots that seamlessly integrate into human environments, encouraging users to trust and depend on robotic assistance for various tasks.
2. Teaching robots to mimic humans – Donghuei Lee, TU Wien
Exploring how endowing robots with human-like traits can transform robotic performances, pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve in daily settings.
Moderators: Enrica Tricomi (Heidelberg University), Federico Masiero (Heidelberg University)
DAY 2 • Tuesday 24
Lunch & Debate with Innovators
Theme: From Vision to Reality: Addressing the Real-World Challenges in Robotics Innovation
Speakers:
1. Envisioning Tomorrow: The Bold Future of Robotics and Its Potential – Mohan Rajesh Elara, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Explore the transformative visions for the future of robotics, focusing on cutting-edge technologies and speculative advancements.
2. Reality Check: Overcoming Practical Barriers in Robotics Innovation – Torsten Kröger, Intrinsic
Explore practical challenges encountered by innovators in turning their concepts into viable products.
Moderators: Enrica Tricomi (Heidelberg University), Khurana Harshit (EPFL)
DAY 3 • Wednesday 25
Lunch & Debate with Rising Stars
Theme: Pioneering Robotics and Automation: Fresh Perspectives on the Next Generation
Speakers:
1. Fresh perspective on Next-Gen Robotics – Amy Han, SNU
Present groundbreaking ideas and innovative approaches that emerging researchers are bringing to the field of robotics.
2. Challenges on Next-Gen Robotics – Majid Khadiv, TUM
Contemporary challenges facing robotics research, offering insights into the practical issues encountered in the field.
Moderators: Enrica Tricomi (Heidelberg University), Gholami Soheil (EPFL)
DAY 4 • Thursday 26
Lunch & Debate with Industry Experts
Theme: Is AI Truly Redefining Robotics?
Speakers:
1. AI Innovations in Robotics: Redefining Capabilities and Applications – Vincent Vanhoucke, Google DeepMind/Waymo
How advancements in AI are pushing the boundaries of robotics, enabling new capabilities and applications.
2. AI Limitations in Robotics: Challenges in Integration and performance – Christine Fraser, CEO of Asimovo
Explore the limitations and challenges of integrating AI into robotics, including issues related to reliability, ethical concerns, and the practical difficulties of implementing AI solutions in real-world robotic systems.
Moderator: Enrica Tricomi (Heidelberg University), Francesco Missiroli (Heidelberg University)