Robot Research and Development
Plenary Speakers
Tips to Create Robots that Contribute to Society and Science
Shigeo Hirose
Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Institute of Technology
Director of the Hyper-Environmental Robots (HERO) Laboratory
Abstract:
I am currently working in the HERO (Hyper-Environmental Robots Lab) to develop robots that can perform various tasks in nuclear power plants and decommissioning operations. In the development of robots for decommissioning work, it is necessary to create a novel robotic mechanism that no one in the world has ever seen before.
In this presentation, we will discuss how to proceed with the development. The flow can be summarized in the following five steps.
- Clarify objectives and constraints.
- Propose solutions utilizing all physical phenomena.
- Immediately prototype and clarify feasibility.
- Evaluate in light of the original purpose, proceed with simplification by integrating multiple functions, and make another prototype.
- If necessary, repeat the above steps with a determination to make bold changes to the design.
In addition, we will show through several examples that such practical robot development promotes unexpected discoveries in the manner of “Analysis by Synthesis,” and argue that such discoveries are the way for contributing to Robotics science.
Biography:
Shigeo Hirose is Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Director of the Hyper-Environmental Robots (HERO) Laboratory. After receiving PhD degree of Control Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1976, he has been assistant professor, associate professor, professor, distinguished professor and director of SMS development & innovation center. In HERO Lab., he is now developing many types of hyper-environmental robots including decommissioning robots for the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Reactor. He received nearly 80 awards, including Order of the Sacred Treasure from Japanese government (2021), IEEE Most Influential Paper Award (2018), Top 10 Most Cited Papers Award, Mechanism and Machine Theory (2017), IEEE Inaba Technical Award for Innovation Leading to Production (2017), IEEE Robotics and Automation Award (2014), Joseph Engelberger Robotics Award (2009), Medal with Purple Ribbon from Japanese government (2006), Award of Merits from IFToMM (2004), IEEE Pioneer in Robotics & Automation Award (1999). He has published more than 1000 academic papers and books, including “Biologically Inspired Robots” (Oxford University Press, 1993).
Tips to Create Robots that Contribute to Society and Science
Shigeo Hirose
Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Institute of Technology
Director of the Hyper-Environmental Robots (HERO) Laboratory
Abstract:
I am currently working in the HERO (Hyper-Environmental Robots Lab) to develop robots that can perform various tasks in nuclear power plants and decommissioning operations. In the development of robots for decommissioning work, it is necessary to create a novel robotic mechanism that no one in the world has ever seen before.
In this presentation, we will discuss how to proceed with the development. The flow can be summarized in the following five steps.
- Clarify objectives and constraints.
- Propose solutions utilizing all physical phenomena.
- Immediately prototype and clarify feasibility.
- Evaluate in light of the original purpose, proceed with simplification by integrating multiple functions, and make another prototype.
- If necessary, repeat the above steps with a determination to make bold changes to the design.
In addition, we will show through several examples that such practical robot development promotes unexpected discoveries in the manner of “Analysis by Synthesis,” and argue that such discoveries are the way for contributing to Robotics science.
Biography:
Shigeo Hirose is Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Director of the Hyper-Environmental Robots (HERO) Laboratory. After receiving PhD degree of Control Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1976, he has been assistant professor, associate professor, professor, distinguished professor and director of SMS development & innovation center. In HERO Lab., he is now developing many types of hyper-environmental robots including decommissioning robots for the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Reactor. He received nearly 80 awards, including Order of the Sacred Treasure from Japanese government (2021), IEEE Most Influential Paper Award (2018), Top 10 Most Cited Papers Award, Mechanism and Machine Theory (2017), IEEE Inaba Technical Award for Innovation Leading to Production (2017), IEEE Robotics and Automation Award (2014), Joseph Engelberger Robotics Award (2009), Medal with Purple Ribbon from Japanese government (2006), Award of Merits from IFToMM (2004), IEEE Pioneer in Robotics & Automation Award (1999). He has published more than 1000 academic papers and books, including “Biologically Inspired Robots” (Oxford University Press, 1993).
A Culture of Robotics Research
Marc Raibert
Chairman of Boston Dynamics
Abstract:
Doing research on physical robots is one of the most satisfying careers an engineer can have. In this talk I will discuss several elements of robotics research culture that contribute to progress and satisfaction:
- Steppingstones to Moonshots
- Build it, Break it, Fix it
- Ambitious, Diligent and Intrepid
- Technical Fearlessness
- Have fun.
Biography:
Marc Raibert is Founder and Chairman of Boston Dynamics, a company that creates some of the world’s most advanced robots, such as Atlas, Spot and Stretch. A key ingredient of these robots is their dynamic behavior, which contributes to their effectiveness and versatility in the real world. Before starting Boston Dynamics, Raibert was Professor of Computer Science and Robotics at MIT and at Carnegie Mellon University. While there, he founded the Leg Laboratory, a research lab that helped establish the scientific basis for highly dynamic robots. These robots were inspired by the remarkable ability of animals to move with agility, dexterity, perception and intelligence, and set the stage for the robots developed at Boston Dynamics. Raibert is a Founding Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI, was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2008, was named Pioneer in Robotics by IEEE and received the Engelberger Award in Technology in 2022. Even better, two of Raibert’s robots were inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2008 and 2012.
A Culture of Robotics Research
Marc Raibert
Chairman of Boston Dynamics
Abstract:
Doing research on physical robots is one of the most satisfying careers an engineer can have. In this talk I will discuss several elements of robotics research culture that contribute to progress and satisfaction:
- Steppingstones to Moonshots
- Build it, Break it, Fix it
- Ambitious, Diligent and Intrepid
- Technical Fearlessness
- Have fun.
Biography:
Marc Raibert is Founder and Chairman of Boston Dynamics, a company that creates some of the world’s most advanced robots, such as Atlas, Spot and Stretch. A key ingredient of these robots is their dynamic behavior, which contributes to their effectiveness and versatility in the real world. Before starting Boston Dynamics, Raibert was Professor of Computer Science and Robotics at MIT and at Carnegie Mellon University. While there, he founded the Leg Laboratory, a research lab that helped establish the scientific basis for highly dynamic robots. These robots were inspired by the remarkable ability of animals to move with agility, dexterity, perception and intelligence, and set the stage for the robots developed at Boston Dynamics. Raibert is a Founding Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI, was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2008, was named Pioneer in Robotics by IEEE and received the Engelberger Award in Technology in 2022. Even better, two of Raibert’s robots were inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2008 and 2012.