International Federation of Robotics (IFR)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

IEEE-IFR Joint Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Aula 1
School of Engineering
University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Via Eudossiana, 18
Rome, Italy
(close to the cloister San Pietro in Vincoli)

Download IERA07 flyer  or   Detailed program

Innovators who explore original, value-creating ideas and entrepreneurs who propel these ideas into world-class products and services are key to the continuing success of robotics and automation today. Active infusion of innovation and entrepreneurship into technological advancement is regarded critical at this juncture to strengthen a healthy balance between research and practice as well as a healthy growth of industrial and commercial sectors in robotics and automation. 

In a joint forum the International Federation of Robotics and the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society will therefore recognize and honor outstanding achievements of entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative robotic and automation technology and give an outlook on the future of robotics and automation. This IEEE-IFR Joint Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation is being held in conjunction with the 2007 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2007.

In the first part of the forum outstanding entrepreneurs will present in a series of plenary lectures their story of the genesis of a successful innovative product in robotics and automation from its very inception to the final state of commercialization. The ultimate winner will be chosen by an evaluation board, consisting of distinguished individuals from industry and academia. A prestigious plaque will be awarded to each finalist, and significant prize money will be awarded.

The second part of the forum is a workshop on the “Robotics and Automation Industry of the Future: Perspectives from Commercial, Research and Policy Sectors”. In a series of six talks from highly distinguished speakers from industry, academia and governmental organisations the future of robotics and automation will be presented and discussed.

NOTE: The Invention and Entrepreneurship Award will also be presented at the ICRA’07 Conference Luncheon on Friday 13.

Registration for the IERA’07 forum will be provided by FASI Comunicazione Eventi. For an advanced registration and payments via credit cards please download the registration form from here (doc file) ( (pdf file), fill it out and fax it to +39-0697605650

On-site registration options are available as well, but for a better planning of the event we would like to ask you to register in advance.

To be able to participate in the IERA’07 forum it is not required registering for the ICRA’07 conference, but since we are relying on ICRA’07 support (rooms, media, staff, coffee breaks) we ask for an additional registration fee of 50 USD from those who do not register for ICRA’07. Otherwise the fees for the IERA’07 forum are the same as for any other ICRA’07 workshop and tutorial. Besides access to the forum the registration fee includes lunch, two coffee breaks and handouts. 

The IERA forum takes place at the School of Engineering, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Via Eudossiana, 18, Rome, Italy. The School is located next to the cloister of San Pietro in Vincoli, close to the Colosseum. The nearest metro stations are "Cavour" and "Collosseo".

The call for applications for the IERA’07 Award is already closed, 22 excellent applications were received. The applications are currently being reviewed by an evaluation committee. The selected finalists will eventually present their innovations in a series of plenary lectures. Please come back again soon to this web page for an update of the final program.

Applications for the Invention and Entrepreneurship Award provide a summary of a successful business case including statements regarding the description of the innovation, stages of the product genesis, novelty of the product, market analysis, economic viability and potential for commercialization, sustained competitive advantage, and potential impact on and relevance to industry (in case of components).

Schedule
January 21, 2007 Deadline for submission of applications
February 16, 2007 Notification of finalists
April 10, 2007 Award Ceremony with lectures of the finalists

Please, send the application as PDF document (< 8MB) no later than January 21, 2007, to klas@ieee.org.
Application detail (PDF file)

http://www.ieee-ras.org/industrial/iera.php

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum is sponsored by both IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (IEEE RAS) and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The generous financial support of KUKA Roboter, Samsung Electronics, Automatica Robotics Exhibition, Yujin Robotics, and CEA-LIST is gratefully acknowledged.

Platinum Level

 Gold Level

General Chairs:

Program and Award Chairs:

Local Arrangements and Finance Chair:

Secretary: