CyberEurope

Abstract

In this feature, we will try to describe the characteristics of current cyberpsychology research in Europe. In particular, CyberEurope aims at describing the leading research groups and projects running on the other side of the Ocean.

FET Flagship—The IT Future of Medicine project

Future and Emerging Technology (FET) Flagships are ambitious, large-scale, science-driven research initiatives (http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/programme/fet/flagship/) that aim to achieve a visionary goal. To provide lasting support at a level that allows a concerted effort toward fulfilling a grand ambition, FET Flagships are envisioned to run for at least 10 years, with a budget of up to 100 M€ per year, per initiative. The scientific advance should provide a strong and broad basis for future technological innovation and economic exploitation in a variety of areas, as well as novel benefits for society.

To prepare the launch of the FET Flagships, six Pilot Actions were funded over a period of 12 months starting in May 2011 whose contents will be discussed in this and in the next issues.

CA-RoboCom: Coordination Action for the Design and Description of the FET Flagship Candidate Robot Companions for Citizens

For more info:

Prof. Paolo Dario

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

www.robotcompanions.eu

Robot Companions for Citizens are soft skinned and sentient machines designed to deliver assistance to people. This assistance is defined in the broadest possible sense, and covers all sorts of different settings.

Based on multidisciplinary science and engineering, CA-RoboCom aims to develop a radically new approach toward machines and how these are deployed in society. Robot Companions for Citizens will be based on the novel solid articulated structures with flexible properties displaying soft behavior. Their bodies will be made of purpose-designed new materials (such as artificial biomaterials or hybrid materials containing living tissue), which combine solid moving parts with flexible, compliant, and self-healing properties.

These companions will also have new levels of perceptual, cognitive, and emotive capabilities. They will also be aware of their physical and social surroundings and respond accordingly. Such sentient characteristics will be achieved through understandings of the behavior of sentient living creatures. In undertaking the research into the information and communication technologies that will need to be developed, the research will also validate understandings of the general design principles underlying biological bodies and brains, thus supporting a symbiotic relationship between science and engineering.

What can Europe expect to gain?

These companion robots will help to improve our quality of life and will increasingly become a key enabling technology providing affordable welfare for all citizens, young and old alike. The proposed RoboCom FET flagship will also help to transform the entire robotics industry, creating a completely new generation of real world technologies employing breakthrough biomimetic, adaptive, and self-organizing principles thanks to new scientific insights and technological innovations.