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Activity Funded

Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems

Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia

Reference
UIDP/50009/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Scientific Area
Engineering and technology
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Programático

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes The Associate Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS) develops interdisciplinary research in dynamic and cyber-physical systems, human-computer interaction and socio-technical systems, promoting new frontiers of knowledge with an impact on the oceans, urban environments, aeronautics and space, biomedical applications and future work environments, and stimulating new industry-science relationships. In the area of OCEANS, LARSyS investigates advanced robotic systems and modern detection technologies, aiming at more efficient exploitation of new minerals, hydrocarbons and marine energy resources, and avoiding negative impacts on the marine environment. LARSyS also develops necessary risk prevention mechanisms and the design of an observatory based on data collected by satellites and ocean sensors. Work on URBAN systems develops the knowledge base needed to collect and analyze information on urban environments (e.g. energy, environment, people, traffic) in order to visualize the state of the city in real time, and to help policy makers design thecities of the future. The Lisbon Region and Madeira Islands will be the case studies. Research into AEROnautical and space systems is connected to the AIR Center, and develops technologies for new small satellites, autonomous air vehicles, robotic missions systems at the international space station, and studies the impact of new manufacturing techniques on the aerospace and aeronautics industry. In the BIOMEDICAL area, LARSyS investigates the processing of biological signals (EEG, ECG, fMRI) to improve medical diagnoses, with emphasis on diagnostic tools, computer-brain interfaces, assistive technologies, and the use of bioinspired approaches to robotic systems. Finally, LARSyS investigates how to design, build and promote a new generation of cognitive ROBOTIC systems, capable of interacting routinely with humans in different contexts (e.g. factories, homes, hospitals and public spaces), using machine learning and artificial intelligence. LARSyS promotes advanced post-doctoral, doctoral and master's degree training in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, Sustainable Energy Systems, Engineering and Public Policy and Business Management Technology. LARSyS researchers coordinate and lead various programs with international universities such as MIT, CMU and EPFL. LARSyS uses the following mechanisms for technology transfer: (i) advanced training of human resources and their integration into advanced technology companies; ii) direct incubation of new technology-based companies; iii) indirect incubation, through networks of technology transfer offices, namely through UTEN (Univ. Technology Enterprise Network), with links to UT Austin, MIT and Carnegie Mellon), and iv) challenges and competitions. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation The Associate Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS) was founded in 2001 to conduct basic and applied research in engineering technologies relevant to industrial applications and societal challenges. LARSyS is uniquely positioned to contribute to the new research challenges because of: i) its strong scientific background in Systems, Data Science and Learning; ii) the interdisciplinary social-technical systems (STS) approach combining analytical tools and methods of engineering, with social sciences and design tools and methods of inquiry; iii) the real-world, application driven motivation towards societal problems defined in thematic lines and iv) the engagement with the social and economic implications of problems and solutions, leading to sustainable development goals through collaborations with industry, public policy recommendations and spin off companies. LARSyS involves a community of 126 integrated researchers with a PhD, mobilizing 34.8M€ of funding in the last five years, the majority from international (33%) and other sources (20%) including companies. LARSyS multiplied by 5 the FCT Institutional funding obtained in 2013 with the evaluation of EXCELLENT. During 2013-17, 66% of SRJ indexed publications were Q1 and 18% were Q2. LARSYS brings together four R&D units: -Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR) -Centre for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research (IN+) -Marine, Environment & Technology Centre (MARETEC) -Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute (MITI) These units enable LARSyS to combine theoretical, practical and STS, diversifying its efforts and approaches to important application domains. The diverse community (32% female) of LARSyS includes 40 different nationalities with a high percentage of international PhD students (40%) and post-docs (33%). This global orientation explains 40% of publications with international collaboration. LARSyS alumni pursued successful careers in academia and industry. Among others, former LARSyS postdoctoral fellows have landed academic positions at IST, U.Hong-Kong, Queen Mary College ULondon, Utrecht U., TUEindhoven, U.Leiden, U.Edinburgh, U.Adelaide, U.Melbourne, U.Zaragoza and U.Federal Espírito Santo. Other research fellows took positions with companies like Apple Inc, Continental, Hyundai MOBIS, BCG (Houston), NOS, SYSCOG, Aeolus Robotics (US), or HP Labs US. Some postdocs started their own companies like uRoboptics, Watt-IS, PRSMA, Mambu (DE), and MUJIN (JP). LARSyS was always strongly committed to contributing to scientific employment and critical mass in interdisciplinary research, currently hosting 71 Post-Doctoral Fellows (PDFs) of which 18 have work contracts. The LARSyS strategic objectives (SO) for 2018-2022 build on this legacy: SO#1- upgrade existing capabilities by expanding the human potential and fostering a critical mass of interdisciplinary researchers in areas from deployable robotics; sensing, modeling, testing and forecasting urban systems; modeling and monitoring biological and metabolic processes and testing these technologies in real-world testbeds. SO#2- improve the innovation potential and impact of LARSyS in the Euro-Atlantic region. Expanding the human capital and the creative research capabilities of individuals and organisations of the LARSyS ecosystem and leveraging on post-doctoral training and knowledge transfer. SO#3- increase the international collaboration and attractiveness of LARSyS in the ERA leveraging the existing network of doctoral training programs with world-leading academic institutions in robotics, systems engineering, energy, HCI and digital media. Achieving these goals will lead to (i) raising the total number PDFs with work contracts to about 50, of which 36 paid with other sources, (ii) funding 20% of the new PDFs to hire, and (iii) co-funding (33%) the career development of 5 permanent faculty. In addition, strengthen the management of LARSyS by recruiting a communication and industry liaison manager while adhering to new ways to develop innovation through a science and technology arts curator. Finally, the strategic goals will increase the attractiveness and collaboration in doctoral training (22 scholarships per year) with leading partner institutions such as MIT, CMU, EPFL and UTAustin, sustaining the current cohort of 140 PhD students. LARSyS strategic plan is grounded on data science and robotics as a lab-wide initiative focused on the impact of new technologies in the application areas across the thematic areas corresponding to the following scientific thematic goals (TG) and challenges: TG#1- OCEAN exploration - focussing on the strategic Euro-Atlantic interactions expanding into ongoing ocean modeling efforts and cooperative marine/aerial robotics into an increasing concern about novel approaches on remote sensing; TG#2- URBAN sustainability - improving quality of life and sustainability of urban environments using a multi-folded approach based on urban metabolism, urban informatics and urban systems; TG#3- AIR space - expanding the work on industrial dynamics to areas such as technological change in supply chain for the aeronautics sector, new hybrid and electrical propulsion technologies, robots for collaborative tasks in space; TG#4- LIFE engineering - expanding from classical diagnosis to new methods based on medical imaging, fundamental or applied research in neuroscience, and robotic interactive systems applied in rehabilitation; TG#5- INTERACTION - taking autonomous systems outside of traditional work contexts (manufacturing, surveillance, search and rescue) into domestic, service and public contexts. TGs provide the real-world context for application-driven STS research in LARSyS. They generate the data and provide the testbeds for new scientific contributions. Finally, LARSyS also generates new knowledge building technologies that are not only user-centered but society-centered, contributing to responsible research and innovation.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia (LARSyS)
  • Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento (IST-ID)

Other Institutions

  • Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico (ULISBOA IST)
  • Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI)

Funding 1.193.750,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

1.193.750,00 €