An International Robotics Challenge Event - Now Open!!
27th & 28th June 2017. University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
‘In the air, on the ground, underground and underwater – robots to create, inspect, repair and maintain the physical infrastructure of our everyday lives’
A two day challenge event to bring academics, industry, policy makers and stakeholders together to explore a future use of robots in the creation, inspection, repair and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Application areas are across broad domains including civil infrastructure, transport (rail, road, sea), offshore energy, space, and nuclear.
The challenge is supported by The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) through the Grand Challenge of “Balancing the impact of City infrastructure engineering on natural systems using robots” & EPSRC investment in capital equipment. It is organised in collaboration with the UK RAS Network and UK Robotics Week.
The Challenge - click here to download the pdf file
The underpinning technological challenges for infrastructure robots include: i) Perceive & Patch, ii) Perch and Repair, iii) Plunge and Protect, iv) Fire and Forget, v) Construct and Confirm, vi) Dismantle and Dispose.
Robotics systems are well suited to enable resilient infrastructure through increased infrastructure operational life cycle & productivity, reduction of costs & operator risk, minimisation of environmental impact, and improved quality of data collection.
Attend The Event
As a delegate: The free to attend two day event will feature keynote presentations from leading academics, industrialists and policy makers. You will be able to view live demonstrations of robots, network and discuss future challenges. You may present posters on technological innovations or scientific positions at the event.
As a competitor: We are seeking entries from robotic researchers around the world who wish to demonstrate their robotic technologies to delegates at the event. Entries will be judged by a panel of leading academics and industrialists on the basis of innovation, potential for impact, and style. Prizes awarded will be awarded for the best entrants! The competition is free to enter and competition attendees will be provided with free bed and breakfast in on campus facilities.
It is a freestyle completion, and we welcome entries of all robotic systems with the potential to impact on the challenges facing future infrastructure. The competition will operate a two stage process:
- You will submit a video of your robot and a short description of its purpose and function. The videos will be judged and finalists will be invited to demonstrate their robots at the infrastructure challenge event in Leeds, UK.
- A judging panel of leading robotic and infrastructure experts will observe your robots in action and prizes will be awarded.
Appropriate demonstration environments will be created by the local team and they will ensure as far as possible that correct support systems are available to operate your robots. There are a range of air and ground robots available to support demonstrations by mounting sensors or demonstrate particular algorithms (for example UAVs such as DJI SJ1000 & Inspire; Husky Ground robot; and Denso robot arms). Please contact the event organisers or more information.
Exhibitors: There will be a limited number of exhibitor stands for those bringing physical robots & not taking part in the completion. Please contact the event organisers for more information.
The Venue
The University of Leeds houses the EPSRC National facility for Innovative Robotic Systems with aim of physically creating robots of the future. It leads the EPSRC Grand Challenge ‘Balancing the impact of City infrastructure engineering on natural systems using robots’ that aims forzZero disruption from street works by 2050. Robots from the University of Leeds explored the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt and discovered writing hidden for thousands of years.
Leeds is based in the heart of Yorkshire – a perfect mix of city and countryside life, with 3 national parks on its doorstep.
Getting here
By Train: Leeds station connects us with all major UK cities and has a fast and efficient London service.
By Air: Leeds is served by two major airports: Leeds Bradford and Manchester. Regular flights are available from a huge number of European and International cities. Leeds Bradford airport is approximately 8 miles away from the University, with a bus service or inexpensive taxi to the city.
Key Date
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Registration: |
8th Dec |
Delegates may register for the event through a short online form here. |
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Challenge teams: Expression of interest due. Complete 1 Page application form |
Extended until 19 April 2017 |
To register your interest in taking part in the challenge, please submit the application form available here. |
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Challenge teams: |
Extended until 19 April 2017 |
For the first round, you need to submit a two minute video of your robotic technology. This video should introduce the motivation, propose your technology, provide a demonstration of your technology in action and present its potential impact. The first round will be used to determine which entries get through to the competition finals. Shortly after the submission deadline, the completion organisers will inform you whether your entry is shortlisted for the competition finals in Leeds. Please email link to Dr Bilal Kaddouh. |
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Challenge teams: |
1st Jun |
If you get through to the finals, you will have the opportunity to further improve your two minute preview video that will be shown to the judging panel. Please ensure all content is copyright-free as the videos will be made available on the challenge website and social media. In additional to the video, please send a slideshow that you will show to the judging panel. The slideshow should consist of six slides and take six minutes to present. Also please fill in the two page paper template available the completion website. |
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Challenge teams: |
27th & 28th Jun |
You will be given a slot during which you will need to set-up and demonstrate your innovation on Wednesday 28th June to an audience and the judging panel. You will be also have time on Tuesday 27th to practice your demo. If you require more time to setup and practice, facilities will be available on Sunday 25th June and Monday 26th June. |
Contact Details
Please contact us if you have any queries.
Event co-ordinator: Dr Bilal Kaddouh
General Chair:
Professor Robert C Richardson,
Director of the Institute of Design, Robotics and Optimisation (iDRO) &
Director of the EPSRC National Facility for Innovative Robotic Systems
School of Mechanical Engineering.
University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT
Local Steering Committee:
Dr Jordan Boyle (School of Mechanical Engineering)
Prof Netta Cohen (School of Computing)
Prof Anthony Cohn (School of Computing)
Prof Abbas Dehghani (School of Mechanical Engineering)
Dr Charles Fox (Transport Studies)
Dr Raul Fuentes (School of Civil Engineering)
Dr Jongrae Kim (School of Mechanical Engineering)
Prof Phil Purnell (School of Civil Engineering)
Prof Ian Robertson (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering)