View source for ERF2016 SPARC Workshop on Cognitive Robotics

[[File:SPARC.jpg|frameless]]'''[http://sparc-robotics.eu/ The Partnership for Robotics in Europe]
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'''[http://www.erf2016.eu European Robotics Forum 2016]'''  '''[http://www.erf2016.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ERF2016_Programme.pdf Programme]'''
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<span style="color: red">Version 2 of the workshop report is now available; see [[ERF2016 SPARC Workshop on Cognitive Robotics#After the Workshop|below]]</span>.

<span style="color: green">This page is being migrated to the [http://aicor.wikispaces.com/ euRobotics Topic Group on Artificial Intelligence and Cognition in Robotics (AICoR) wiki] in anticipation of the follow-on phase of the work</span>.

== Session Title ==

''[http://www.sparc-robotics.net/ SPARC] Workshop on Cognitive Robotics: Actions for Promoting the Deployment of Cognitive Systems in Industry''

== Organizers ==

David Vernon, University of Skövde, Sweden (david<at>vernon.eu)

Markus Vincze, Technische Universität Wien, Austria (vincze<at>acin.tuwien.ac.at)

== Motivation and Objectives ==

[http://www.sparc-robotics.net/ SPARC - The Partnership for Robotics in Europe] - brings together [https://eu-robotics.net/ euRobotics aisbl] and the [https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/robotics European Commission]. It is supported by a project that was launched in February 2016 which, along with its many other activities, has five goals to promote the deployment of cognitive systems in industry:
# Identify industrial priorities
# Create a catalogue of cognitive systems algorithms
# Create a SPARC cognitive architecture schema
# Develop a framework linking cognition and autonomy
# Develop software engineering guidelines for cognitive robotics
This workshop is the first opportunity for the robotics, cognitive systems, and AI communities to engage and become involved in the achievement of these goals. It will take the first crucial steps in formulating a meaningful strategy to make cognitive robotics a mainstream industrial technology.

== Workshop Format ==

The workshop will be a facilitated brainstorming exercise.  There will be five parallel breakout sessions, one for each goal. The attendees will choose which of the five breakout sessions they want to attend, during which they will provide three answers to a small number of focussed questions.   A facilitator will then collect these answers and, together with the participants, sort them in to consistent groups.  These collective answers will then be presented to the full meeting.  After all the participants have had an opportunity to discuss the issues raised and give their own views, we will then identify the follow-up actions needed to move this process forward, effectively and efficiently.

== Agenda ==

14:00 – 14:20 	Introduction to objectives & methodology 

14:20 – 14:30 	Identification of breakout groups

14:30 – 15:30 	Five parallel breakout group brainstorming sessions 

15:30 – 16:15 	Coffee break

16:15 – 17:05 	Five 10-minute feedback presentations

17:05 – 17:35 	Moderated open discussion

17:35 – 17:45 	Identification of short-term goals and follow-up actions

== Preparing for the Workshop ==

All attendees at ERF2016 are warmly invited to participate in the workshop.  It promises to be an enjoyable and interesting exercise.   We will give an overview of the brainstorming technique to be used at the start of the session, but it would be very helpful if prospective participants familiarized themselves with the following material.

=== SPARC Cognitive Systems Coordination ===

A past coordination and support action (CSA) led to the creation of [https://eu-robotics.net/ euRobotics aisbl], the private partner of the [http://www.sparc-robotics.net/ SPARC] PPP.  Now, a follow-up CSA has a full work package dedicated to cognitive systems coordination, with five tasks targetting the goals listed above  (see '''[[RockEU2 WP3 Cognitive Systems Coordination | here]]''' for more details). 

Prospective participants are encouraged to read through these task descriptions as they explain exactly what we are setting out to achieve in this workshop.

=== Briefing Notes for the Breakout Session ===

The following documents explain how the breakout session will work in practice.  The breakout session exercises are provisional for the moment and the questions may change.

'''General Instructions'''

*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Briefing_Notes.pdf Briefing Notes]

'''Breakout Session Exercises'''

*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Breakout_1.pdf  Breakout Group 1: Industrial Priorities]
*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Breakout_2.pdf  Breakout Group 2: Catalogue of Cognitive Systems Capabilities]
*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Breakout_3.pdf Breakout Group 3: SPARC Cognitive Architecture Schema]
*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Breakout_4.pdf Breakout Group 4: Cognition-Autonomy Framework]
*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Breakout_5.pdf Breakout Group 5: Software Engineering Factors in Cognitive Robotics]

== At the Workshop ==

*[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Slides.pdf  Introduction Slides]

== After the Workshop ==

Thanks to all the people who participated, giving freely of their time and insights.  A special thanks to the facilitators: Tamim Asfour, Alessandro Saffiotti, Alexander Wendt, and Gerhard Kraetzschmar.

We have set up an email list for people interested in this workshop:   cognitiverobotics<at>lists.vernon.eu   Please send an email to david<at>vernon.eu if you would like to be added to this list, briefly stating your interests and why you would want to be added, ideally saying what kind of contribution you'd like to make.

<span style="color: red">Version 2 of the workshop report is now available '''[http://www.vernon.eu/RockEU2/ERF2016_Workshop_Report.pdf here]'''</span>.

Please note that the report documents the actual proceedings on the day.  It does not attempt to provide a commentary of the findings. As such, this report should be viewed as a starting point in our efforts to achieve the five SPARC ROCKeu2 goals outlined at the workshop and in the report.   This material will be developed over the coming months. 

We depend on you, the workshop participants, and the AI and Cognitive Systems (AICoR) community to contribute actively to this effort.