Beyond robotics: a new proactive research initiative from the EU IST program

Area of Science:

• Embodied artificial intelligence research.
• Robotics and advanced automation.

Background:

• Launched in 2004 by the European Union's Information Society Technologies (IST) programme.
• Funded by the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) arm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To foster ambitious objectives and breakthroughs in embodied AI.
• To advance the state-of-the-art beyond current robotics capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Initiated a research program called "Beyond Robotics".
• Funded four distinct projects from 2004-2008.
• Allocated 20 million Euros in European Community funding.

Main Results:

• Supported cutting-edge research in embodied AI.
• Enabled exploration of advanced robotics concepts.
• Facilitated significant advancements beyond existing technologies.

Conclusions:

• The "Beyond Robotics" initiative successfully stimulated high-impact research.
• European Union funding accelerated progress in embodied artificial intelligence.
• The program's focus on ambitious goals led to notable breakthroughs.