NRI Workshop on Cloud Robotics: Challenges and Opportunities

As cloud computing technologies mature, we can now think about creating robots that are not limited by either (1) processing constraints (speed, memory) or (2) availability of data. Cloud Robotics refers to approaches to robotics that exploit advances in cloud computing and big data, and have the potential for developing a new generation of robotics with many applications. The workshop will feature several technical presentations and breakout sessions to explore the opportunities in Cloud Robotics, and the science and technology gaps that need to be addressed in this field.

Topics to be addressed in this workshop include:

  1. Cloud-based methods for solving fundamental robotics problems such as object manipulation, navigation and learning by demonstration
  2. Standards for facilitating synergies between robots and the cloud, and interoperability across platforms
  3. Novel methods and techniques to manipulate real-time big data
  4. Cloud robotics data-sets and testbeds; Benchmarks and real-world robotics testbeds which can provide context for basic research and enable technology transition
  5. Novel cloud services based on robotics and embedded sensing such as semantic labeling of spatial maps
  6. Time-scale and communication issues for cloud-based solutions to robotics applications
The workshop is a 1.5 day workshop sponsored by NSF and the Army Research Laboratory. We expect to reimburse a substantial portion of all (if not all) expenses for all invited. All participants are expected to provide a one page position paper outlining the opportunities and challenges for the field.

Program:
The workshop will start in the morning on Wednesday, February 27th and finish at noon on February 28th. Detailed program will be posted here when available.

List of Participants:
Will be posted here.

Organizers:
Volkan Isler, University of Minnesota. isler (at) cs.umn.edu
M. Ani Hsieh, Drexel University. mhsieh1 (at) drexel.edu

Agency Contacts:
Richard Voyles, National Science Foundation. rvoyles (at) nsf.gov
Brian M. Sadler, U.S. Army Research Laboratory. brian.m.sadler6.civ (at) mail.mil

Venue:
Paul Peck Alumni Center
3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
[Website]
Drexel is a comprehensive global research university ranked among the top 100 in the nation. With approximately 25,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities and is known for its leadership in experiential learning through Drexel Co-op. Drexel's University City Campus is located just a short 30 minute drive from the Philadelphia International Airport, a US Airways hub. Amtrak runs often and Amtrak's 30th Street Station is just a short 2-blocks from Main Campus. The Paul Peck Alumni Center is located on the University City Campus. Directions can be found here. A detailed campus map of the University City Campus is available here.

Hotel:
We reserved a block of rooms at Inn at Penn. You can use [this link] to make a reservation. You can also call 1-(215) 222-0200 and mention the code DUCE to get the reduced rate of $219+tax per night.

Hilton Inn at Penn
3600 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Reservations: 1-(215) 222-0200
Tel: (215) 222-0200 Fax: (215) 222-4600
http://www.theinnatpenn.com/
Distance to workshop: 0.6 mi

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Sponsored by

The National Science Foundation
Army Research Laboratory

Final Report

Available here

Venue and Dates

February 27-28, 2013
Paul Peck Alumni Center
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104