Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed an AI system capable of translating spoken language into sign language. This innovative technology aims to enhance communication accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The system leverages advancements in artificial intelligence, likely combining natural language processing for speech understanding and computer vision for sign generation. Why it matters: This development has the potential to significantly improve inclusion and communication for deaf communities within the Middle East and globally, bridging critical communication gaps.
TII's Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC) and NYU's Agile Robotics and Perception Lab have released RLtools, an open-source reinforcement learning library. RLtools achieves a 75x speed-up in training compared to existing libraries, enabling drone controller training on standard computers. It allows training on consumer-grade laptops or directly on microcontrollers, addressing resource efficiency and deployment challenges. Why it matters: This library accelerates the development and deployment of autonomous systems by reducing training time and resource requirements, making advanced AI more accessible.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have signed a collaboration agreement to deepen strategic collaboration in research, education, and talent development. The partnership includes a Research and Development Sponsorship Agreement and a Framework Fellowship Program Agreement. TII and NYUAD will collaborate on joint research projects across areas like AI, robotics, and quantum science, and TII will sponsor NYUAD students for research in priority technology domains. Why it matters: The partnership aims to bridge fundamental research with real-world applications, accelerate scientific discovery, and develop a pipeline of skilled researchers in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Reem Ashour from TII's Autonomous Robotics Research Center has been appointed as Secretary of the UAE IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) leadership committee for 2024-2025. Dr. Ashour collaborated with Dr. Diana Dawoud (University of Dubai) and Dr. Lilas Alrahis (NYUAD) to develop the proposal for the UAE chapter of IEEE WIE. Dr. Ashour will participate in the IEEE WIE International Leadership Summits (ILS) 2024 in Dubai. Why it matters: This appointment highlights the increasing role of women in STEM leadership in the UAE and provides a platform for TII to contribute to global discussions on gender equality in engineering.
The Cryptography Research Center (CRC) of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi is co-hosting the 21st Cryptology and Network Security Conference (CANS 2022) in cooperation with Springer, IACR, and NYU Abu Dhabi. The conference includes a workshop on AI and automation in cryptography and network security, with talks from experts like Claudia Diaz from Nym Technologies. Topics covered include post-quantum cryptography, blockchain security, and cryptanalysis techniques. Why it matters: This event highlights the UAE's growing role as a hub for cutting-edge research in cryptography and cybersecurity, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
The Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC) at Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has appointed a board of advisors composed of globally-recognized experts in robotics and autonomous systems. The advisors include professors from Georgia Tech, ETH Zurich, University of Bologna, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NYU, and Czech Technical University. The board will guide ARRC's research into robotics technologies aimed at building hybrid biological and artificial systems. Why it matters: This signals the UAE's continued investment in attracting top international expertise to advance its AI and robotics research capabilities.
TII's Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) in Abu Dhabi has appointed international experts to its Board of Advisors. The advisors have expertise in areas like autonomous computing, cyber-physical systems, and cryptology. The board includes experts from Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Dubai Electronic Security Center, and Purdue University. Why it matters: The move strengthens the UAE's cybersecurity research capabilities and aligns with its focus on developing secure autonomous systems.
This paper details an autonomous cooperative wall-building system using UAVs developed for Challenge 2 of the MBZIRC 2020 competition. The system employs scanning, RGB-D detection, precise grasping, and multi-UAV coordination to place bricks on a wall. The CTU-UPenn-NYU approach achieved the highest score in the competition by correctly placing the most bricks. Why it matters: This demonstrates advanced capabilities in robotics and autonomous systems relevant for construction and infrastructure development in challenging environments.