Robot Dexterity TA3: call for Expert Committee

Description

ARIA is an R&D funding agency. We fund teams of scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of what is technologically or scientifically possible. ARIA was established by the UK Government in January 2023 with high levels of autonomy and flexibility. From climate change to AI and bioengineering, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK's world-class R&D talent in new ways so that we can meet these head on. One way we do this is by identifying opportunity spaces: areas that we believe are currently under-explored relative to their potential value and impact. The Smarter Robot Bodies opportunity space focuses on robotics. One theme that has emerged is the need to advance modularity, interoperability, and common standards in robotics. Lot 1: Through TA3, we're seeking to gain clarity on which bodies need to be convened to facilitate breakthroughs in these three areas; identify the areas in which improved software and hardware modularity would lead to major time and cost savings; and outline the standards required, as well as who is best placed to create them. To answer this and similar questions, we're recruiting an Expert Committee of four to five individuals with diverse backgrounds + deep knowledge on robotics. The Committee will: Collect evidence from stakeholders across the robotics sector to understand the challenges + opportunities; Design and host at least one in-person workshop event to bring stakeholders together for in-depth discussion + knowledge exchange; Produce a comprehensive summary report of specific, actionable recommendations to advance modularity, interoperability, and common standards in robotics.