IEEE RAS Technical Committee Meeting at IROS, October 2007

Minutes from IEEE RAS TAB Meeting
Date: Friday, November 2, 2007 (IROS 2007)
Time: 7:30am-9:00am
Provided by: Nancy Amato


Updates/Announcements:

The DLS program has increased the number of lecturers, and has put an emphasis on underrepresented areas (e.g., south america). The typical term of an DLS is 2 years, so most will be replaced now.

A new Field of Interest Statement has been drafted by the TAB, and is on the consent agenda to be approved by the society in November.

The Technical Committees (TCs) can help form sessions for ICRA. The TC co-chairs should contact Ken Goldberg and Roz Snyder if they want to do this.


TC Expections/Ideas:

  • want to have webpage updated about once a month or so, should appoint someone from the TC to do this
  • post number of members on web
  • have a slide about TC that members can use in their talks
  • next year, all fall TAB and ADCOM mtgs for RAS such as this one will be at CASE conference, Aug 23-26 (Washington DC)
  • one TC is considering a steering committee, good idea to think about. The steering committee can help out, place for old chairs, etc.
  • TC should have lifespan of 6-9 years. The role of TC is to boost activity, once active won't need any longer? Should have mission statement that may be a mid term (3-5 year) goals; set a lifespan to remove the stigma of retirement;
  • idea: TCs may send out email in advance of conferences to list papers that are in area, and send report later; list papers that are in IEEE TRO (can link to them and help get downloads there).
  • idea: TC spotlight in RAS magazine, rotate among PCs, may be survey, highlight new results
  • idea: TC should be encouraged to organize, assist survey papers
  • idea: can elect TC membership on IEEE RAS website?


New Initiatives/Ideas:

There is a new emphasis/encouragement on organizing BoF meetings (birds of a feather). TC are encouraged to organize them at next ICRA/IROS, e.g., get together at bar, etc. It was not clear (or maybe I missed it) if ICRA organizers will assist in the organization.

Open Source Wiki on Research Milestones for the community. This seemed like a good idea, but it was not clear how to administrate it.


Technical Communities. (passed unanimously.)

These would be kind of like the next step for a very successful TC - a "super TC". Larger entities than TCs with greater responsibility and authority - can sponsor conferences, workshops, etc. They would be a formal subcommittee of TAB. They can get some funds (e.g., $1000/yr). Maybe haptics is ready for this.


Permanently established ICRA Best Automation Award (passed unanimously).

Currently there are 23 TCs.

  • underwater robotics TC will retire, and may propose a new TC on marine robotics in a few years
  • TC on Program Envs for RA will change name to SE for R&A (approved)
  • ITS TC wants to change name to Autonomous Vehicles and ITS TC
  • TC chairs should be members of the society (members not required)

TC Review policy (passed unanimously).

Expectations: TC lifespan is about 6-9 years; co-chairs have 3 year terms, two consecutive terms allowed; may want to cycle through. The review report will be short, 3 pages max. When looking for new co-chairs, TCs should reach out to younger crowd in different regions.