The National Robotics Initiative (NRI) Principal Investigator meeting showcased an amazing collection of new ideas and technologies developed by over 200 of the top researchers in the field Oct. 1-2 in Washington. The NRI program, which was the direct result of a Computing Community Consortium (CCC) roadmapping effort led by Henrik Christensen of Georgia Tech, is a broad multi-year, multi-agency initiative to develop “Collaborative Systems” that augment, assist, or amplify human capabilities in a wide range of areas.
The technologies and applications covered were breathtaking in scope and frame interesting and compelling questions for Co-workers, Co-inhabitants, or Co-protectors; for example:
- How to combine automated observation with human sampling to produce accurate estimates of crop harvests?
- How to develop assistants than can infer intent and dynamically introduce aid and assistance in highly manual applications such as manufacturing, or medicine?
- How can we enable the visually impaired to navigate in new situations and environments?
- How do we develop “smart” avatars that support exploration in dangerous or remote environments?
Lively panels on education, outreach, and tech transfer, and tutorials on new technologies for software and hardware rapid prototyping rounded out the program. Another highlight was a rousing discussion of how to create more tangible outcomes from government funded research: start ups, open source hardware, and shared testbeds, as well as a conversation on how to empower the best product of research programs: talented and capable students.
