Speakers Confirmed for Robotics and Autonomous Systems Conference

Published: 30 Nov 2017 | Author: Mike Rees

SMi has confirmed the speaker line-up for its Robotics and Autonomous Systems conference taking place on 25^th and 26^th April 2018 in London.

The two-day conference will cover the latest updates on the UK Ministry of Defence’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Enhancement programmes, with a full representation at the conference from the UK MoD. Exclusive military briefings have also been confirmed from the United States, Israel, Finland, France, Norway and many more. In addition, briefings will also be given from academia, defence research and procurement agencies, demonstrating the comprehensive approach to emerging autonomous and robotic technologies that this conference will provide.

Continuing the MOD’s investment in technology, the UK has been working with the US Military on autonomous resupply, testing a 4×4 vehicle controlled with an Xbox-style controller, driverless trucks in convoy and Hoverbike drones. These cutting-edge technologies are a new means of coordinating and delivering vital supplies, including on-demand delivery of food and fuel or ammunition to the front line, in the most dangerous last-mile up to the battlefield. The unmanned vehicles trialled could also potentially be used for humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions. With the two nations working closely together, the autonomous technologies could, in the future, reduce the risk to the military user whilst improving efficiencies and interoperability, which could in turn decrease costs and save lives.

The UK MoD established five priorities in the development of Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Sustainability, Manoeuvrability, Situational Awareness, Lethality and Survivability. These are the key focus points of SMI’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems 2018 conference, along with main themes such as counter-IED, AI, interoperability, or communication systems.

The speaker line-up includes:

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Craig, SO1 Capability and Cohesion, Army HQ, British Army
Major Lloyd Davies, Starter Requirements Manager, DE&S, UK MoD
Colonel Jerome Lemaire, Land Strategic Directorate, DGA, France
Lieutenant Colonel Leon Altarac, Head of the Robotics Department of the Ground Forces Technology Brigade, Israeli Defence Forces
Robert W. Sadowski, Robotics Senior Research Scientist, TARDEC, US Army

…and many more.

A detailed agenda with a full list of presentations and speakers can be found here.

A £400 early bird registration discount is available for bookings made by 15^th December. Visit www.robotics-autonomous.com/ust for more details.