Over the last decade we have witnessed tremendous progress in robotics. Collaborative robotics has come of age, vision is finally viable as a feedback modality, grippers have moved beyond parallel kinematics, and so on. We have also seen major advances in modern machine learning techniques, modern control theory and human-robot interaction.

But what does the future hold for the robotics sector and where can opportunities be found? Henrik Christensen, Qualcomm Chancellor’s Chair in Robot Systems and Director, Contextual Robotics Institute at UC San Diego, will answer these questions during his opening keynote on Day 2 of the Robotics Summit & Expo. The keynote called “What to Expect in 2020?” will describe the development of the current US National Robotics Roadmap and discuss both emerging robotics business cases and significant R&D challenges.

To answer those questions, governments and business development groups often turn to technology roadmaps – formal documents generated every few years by a combination of experts from business, academia and government that systematically describe goals for research, technology, products, applications and industries. These documents also outline the most efficient and economic path to those goals, including hurdles that must be overcome. Christensen led the consortium of robotics experts that published an updated Roadmap for US Robotics in 2016.

The Robotics Summit & Expo will feature 70-plus exhibitors, 60-plus speakers, AWS RoboMaker Immersion Day, the Future of Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Workshop, the MassRobotics Robotics Engineering Career Fair, networking receptions and more fun surprises. Full conference passes are $595 while expo-only passes are just $50. Academic discounts are available and academic full conference rates are $295. Register today to join the brightest minds in robotics June 5-6 in Boston at the Robotics Summit & Expo.

Prior to UC San Diego, Christensen was the founding director of Institute for Robotics and Intelligent machines (IRIM) at Georgia Institute of Technology (2006-2016). Christensen does research on systems integration, human-robot interaction, mapping and robot vision. The research is performed within the Cognitive Robotics Laboratory.

He has published more than 350 contributions across AI, robotics and vision. His research has a strong emphasis on “real problems with real solutions.” Christensen received the Engelberger Award 2011, the highest honor awarded by the robotics industry. Christensen is a fellow of American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He collaborates with institutions and industries across three continents.