October 14, 2024

IROS 2024 Workshop

Embodied Neuromorphic AI for Robotic Perception and Control  

at Abu Dhabi, UAE

Overview:

Achieving autonomous interaction with the environment and the manifestation of complex behaviors remains a formidable challenge. This challenge, however, holds the key to unlocking a future where robots seamlessly integrate into society. Understanding the intricate mechanisms that drive living beings' ability to navigate and interact with the world has long been a source of inspiration. Neuromorphic engineering, by emulating the computational principles of the brain, offers a promising avenue toward this goal. Our workshop, "Embodied Neuromorphic AI for Robotic Perception and Control," seeks to delve into the intersection of neuromorphic technologies and robotics, exploring how these innovations can revolutionize robot design, from perception to motor control. By fostering discussion on the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of neuromorphic approaches, we aim to elucidate the transformative potential they hold for creating robots that not only mimic but embody the adaptability and efficiency of living organisms. Through collaborative dialogue and shared insights, we aspire to identify key challenges impeding progress in this field and outline actionable steps for overcoming them. Join us in this endeavor to shape the future of robotics, where intelligent machines seamlessly coexist with humanity, enriching our lives and augmenting our capabilities.

Aim and Scope:

The workshop aims to explore the deployment of neuromorphic AI for achieving efficient robotic autonomy. By leveraging neuromorphic circuits, we seek to enable the development of unique autonomous agents with embodied AI, capable of interacting effectively with their environment. Our primary objectives include:

1. Understanding Embodied AI: Delve into embodied AI and its significance in enabling robots to adapt to various conditions while efficiently utilizing resources.

2. Multi-scale Processing: Highlight the importance of processing data on multiple timescales to support immediate perception, hierarchical information extraction, and long-term learning, mimicking the capabilities of biological neural networks.

3. Advantages of Neuromorphic Engineering: Discuss the benefits of neuromorphic engineering, such as energy efficiency and compactness, compared to traditional architectures, and its suitability for powering intelligent robotic systems.

4. Addressing Challenges: Identify and address challenges associated with integrating neuromorphic chips with sensors, computing, and motors, programming neural systems on chips, and establishing a framework for neural-based computational primitives. 


Keywords/Topics of Interest:

Organizing Committee:

Dr. Fakhreddine Zayer

Khalifa University Center for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (KUCARS), Khalifa University

Email: fakhreddine.zayer@ku.ac.ae

Phone: +971 2 312 3907

Website: http://www.fakhreddinezayer.com/ 

Prof. Jorge Dias 

Khalifa University Center for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (KUCARS), Khalifa University

Email: Jorge.dias@ku.ac.ae

Phone: +971 2 312 4170

Website: https://jorgedias.eu/  

Prof.  Muhammad Shafique 

Professor of Computer Engineering, NYU 

Email: muhammad.shafique@nyu.edu

Website: https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/academics/divisions/engineering/faculty/muhammad-shafique.html/  

Dr. Alberto Marchisio

eBRAIN Lab, NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE

Email: alberto.marchisio@nyu.edu 

Phone: +971 2 628 4957

Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=6QPlLnAAAAAJ&hl=en

Dr. Giulia De Masi

 Khalifa University Center for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (KUCARS), Khalifa University

 Email:     giulia.demasi@ku.ac.ae

   Phone: +971 2 312 4896

Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=it&user=G1K5hX0AAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate 

 Important Dates: 


 Venue:
The multi-award winning Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is the largest exhibition venue in the Middle East, fully interconnected within the hearth of Abu Dhabi. Featuring a unique architectural design, ADNEC offers one of the world's most accessible and flexible event spaces.