To achieve autonomy in unstructured environments while interacting with humans, robots need to be able to adapt to different operational conditions, face unexpected situations and guarantee safety. 

These challenges are tackled by the HE projects SestoSenso (http://sestosenso.eu/) and CONVINCE (https://convince-project.eu/), although from different perspectives. Sestosenso proposes a new sensing technology, cognitive perception and control algorithms based on proximity and tactile sensors for safe autonomy and interaction. CONVINCE, on the other hand, proposes a deliberation layer able to detect unexpected situations and deploy contingency actions to guarantee safe operation.

The goal of this workshop is to disseminate the aims and challenges of the projects showcase the initial results of their activities, discuss common challenges and find potential synergies between the projects.

The workshop will be held on March 15, 8:30-9:50. It will be followed by an insight session on the same day at 11:40-13. 

During the workshop speakers from the CONVINCE and SestoSenso projects will illustrate the projects goals and methodology, and the challenges addressed in the use cases, followed by an open discussion on the challenges identified below. 

The insight session will be an opportunity to discuss more in details the research challenges that need to be addressed to advance robot abilities to adapt to the environment, remain operational without human intervention while preserving safe behavior. The program of the insight session is reported below.