MBZUAI will present robotics research and solutions at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in Abu Dhabi from October 14-18. Professors Yoshihiko Nakamura and Sami Haddadin, renowned robotics experts, lead MBZUAI's robotics initiatives. MBZUAI will be located at Booth 6 at ADNEC. Why it matters: Showcasing MBZUAI's commitment to becoming a global leader in AI and robotics research, attracting top talent and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in the UAE.
The article discusses Team NimbRo's approaches to challenges involving micro aerial vehicles (MAV) at the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2017. The challenges included landing on a moving vehicle and a treasure hunt task requiring mission planning and multi-robot coordination. The team's system achieved a third place in both subchallenges and contributed to winning the MBZIRC Grand Challenge. Why it matters: This demonstrates advanced robotics capabilities developed and tested in the UAE, pushing the boundaries of autonomous aerial vehicle operation and multi-robot collaboration.
Gregory Chirikjian presented an overview of research on robot navigation in unstructured environments, using computer vision, sensor tech, ML, and motion planning. The methods use multi-modal observations from RGB cameras, 3D LiDAR, and robot odometry for scene perception, along with deep RL for planning. These methods have been integrated with wheeled, home, and legged robots and tested in crowded indoor scenes, home environments, and dense outdoor terrains. Why it matters: This research pushes the boundaries of robotics in complex environments, paving the way for more versatile and autonomous robots in the Middle East.
A Carnegie Mellon team (Tartan) presented their approach to rapidly deployable and robust autonomous aerial vehicles at the 2020 Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC). The system utilizes common techniques in vision and control, encoding robustness into mission structure through outcome monitoring and recovery strategies. Their system placed fourth in Challenge 2 and seventh in the Grand Challenge, with achievements in balloon popping, block manipulation, and autonomous firefighting. Why it matters: The work highlights strategies for building robust autonomous systems that can operate without central communication or high-precision GPS in challenging real-world environments, directly addressing key needs in the development of field robotics for the Middle East.
Giuseppe Loianno from NYU presented research on creating "Super Autonomous" robots (USARC) that are Unmanned, Small, Agile, Resilient, and Collaborative. The research focuses on learning models, control, and navigation policies for single and collaborative robots operating in challenging environments. The talk highlighted the potential of these robots in logistics, reconnaissance, and other time-sensitive tasks. Why it matters: This points to growing research interest in advanced robotics in the region, especially given the focus on smart cities and automation.
Team NimbRo presented four UAVs tailored for the MBZIRC 2020 challenges, including target chasing, wall building, and fire fighting. The UAVs utilized onboard object detection, aerial manipulation, LiDAR, and thermal cameras to perform their tasks autonomously. The team's software stack, which is mostly open-source, includes tools for system configuration, monitoring, and agile trajectory generation. Why it matters: The work demonstrates advanced robotics capabilities developed in the context of a major regional competition, advancing machine vision and trajectory generation, and showcasing potential applications in various sectors.
Lorenzo Jamone from Queen Mary University of London presented on cognitive robotics, focusing on tactile exploration and manipulation by robots. The talk covered combining biology, engineering, and AI for advanced robotic systems. Jamone directs the CRISP group and has over 100 publications in cognitive robotics. Why it matters: This highlights the ongoing research into more sophisticated robotic systems that can interact with complex environments, an area crucial for future applications in manufacturing and human-robot collaboration in the GCC.
Team NimbRo presented their UGV solution for autonomous wall building and firefighting at the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2020. The robot integrates a wheeled omnidirectional base, a 6 DoF manipulator arm with a magnetic gripper, a storage system, and a water spraying system. It uses 3D LiDAR, RGB, and thermal cameras to perceive the environment, pick up boxes, construct walls, and detect/extinguish fires. Why it matters: The work highlights advancements in autonomous robotics for complex tasks relevant to construction and disaster response in the UAE and globally.