CANADIAN ROBOTICS COUNCIL
2022 SYMPOSIUM
Sep 22 | National Arts Centre | Ottawa
This event is now over.
The Canadian Robotics Council was formed with a mission: to help Canadians benefit from the robotics technologies that are poised to fuel economic development, global competitiveness, productivity, and improved safety.
Early and sustained investments in robotics, starting in 1975 with the Canada Space Arm, established Canada’s reputation as a key international player in robotics. More recently, complementary initiatives such as the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Supercluster Initiative (now Canada’s global innovation clusters), and the Canadarm3 program promise to continue this trend.
But the hard truth is that Canada is not adopting existing and readily available robotics technologies that could help Canadian businesses be more productive and resilient, and help Canadians be safer. Furthermore, this lack of basic adoption is hurting us when it comes to developing and deploying next-generation robotics technology.
A regular and sustained national dialogue on robotics must take place between industry, researchers, policy makers, and investors if Canadian industries are to remain globally competitive. In our inaugural Canadian Robotics Council Symposium, we aim to answer three simple questions:
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What can robots do for Canada right now?
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Why aren’t Canadian industries using more of them?
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What actions can we -- as technology leaders from industry, government, and research -- collectively take to help Canadian industries leverage robotics to their fullest?
Please join us on September 22 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa as we convene robotics thought leaders from across the country for a frank discussion. We look forward to your input as we shape the Council’s priorities for the coming years!
Sincerely,
Ryan Gariepy
Clearpath &
OTTO Motors
Hallie Siegel
University of Toronto Robotics Institute
MORNING PANELS
Snapshot of the Canadian Robotics Ecosystem
Be among the first to get a snapshot of the Canadian robotics ecosystem commissioned by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Avascent will present an overview of the robotics ecosystem in Canada based on a study commissioned by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). The presentation will highlight key metrics unique to the Canadian robotics industry, including geography, size, sector and type. It will touch on some of the unique challenges and opportunities most relevant to senior decision-makers. An open Q&A with ISED and Avascent will follow.
Session Chair
Speakers
Charles Deguire
Kinova
Kyle Van Hooren
Avascent
Riley White
Avascent
BIO: Kyle Van Hooren is a Senior Manager for Avascent's Ottawa office, where he provides advice to clients in government and industry on key challenges with innovative markets. In the past 18 months he has led and managed multiple engagements across the space, quantum, robotics, and cleantech value chains. Prior to joining Avascent Kyle graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters of Global Affairs.
BIO: Riley White is a Senior Analyst out of Avascent's Ottawa office, and a leading member of Avascent Digital. He provides clients with rigorous data analytics to help inform decision-makers in government and industry. Prior to joining Avascent Riley graduated from the Ivey School of Business with a dual degree in Civil Engineering and Business.
Robotics Cluster Development:
International Examples and Best Practices
Discover the gold standard in robotics ecosystem development from German and US robotics cluster experts.
Session 1: Pan-European Robotics Research Networks: An Insider's Perspective
Session Chair
Bruno Monsarrat
NRC/CNRC
Speaker
Florian Krebs
Germany Aerospace Centre (DLR)
BIO: Florian Krebs helped to establish the DLR-Center of Lightweight Production Technology in Ausberg, Germany, where he now serves as deputy head and leads a team concerned with flexible automation systems. Previously he spent two years in the research and development department of KUKA Roboter GmbH in Germany gaining hands-on industrial experience. Krebs’ major research areas lie in industrial robotics, automation technology and data-driven production technology. Currently his main interest lays in the development of Industry 4.0 inspired manufacturing technologies for future aerospace manufacturing scenarios. He is also a member of many networking, standardization, and strategy initiatives, most notably the Bavarian Zentrum Digitalisierung, Bayern German Plattform Industrie 4.0, European euRobotics, and European Open Science Cloud.
Session 2: How Open-Source Standards
Help to Grow Robotics Ecosystems
Session Chair
AJung Moon
McGill Centre for Intelligent Machines
Speaker
Brian Gerkey
Open Robotics
BIO: Brian Gerkey is co-founder and CEO of Open Robotics, which drives the development and adoption of open software and hardware for robotics. Prior to Open Robotics, Brian worked at Willow Garage, SRI, Stanford, and USC. Brian is a strong believer in, frequent contributor to, and constant beneficiary of open source technology.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP
Have your say! Network with Canadian robotics leaders from industry, research and government as we shape the Council's priorities for the coming years.
What is a national public-private partnership in robotics uniquely positioned to achieve?
How can members of Canada's robotics ecosystem help each other collectively?
How can we facilitate and support adoption of robotics to help make Canadian industries more globally competitive? (Hint: The answer isn't necessarily more money from government!)
In this working session, you will strategize with members of the Canadian robotics ecosystem on how to best support and leverage Canada's growing robotics sector to ensure a bright future for Canadians in the new global economy.
EVENING SOCIAL
Network with Canadian robotics leaders from industry, research and government.
You will no doubt be hungry after a full day of action! Stay for a reception and buffet dinner catered by the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
VENUE & CATERING
The Canadian Robotics Symposium will take place in downtown Ottawa, in the Salon at the National Arts Centre (NAC).
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
Coffee, lunch, reception, and buffet dinner will be provided. Vegetarian and other dietary accommodations available on request - see Registration for details.
REGISTRATION
Register now for early bird rates. Ticket prices will increase by 50% on September 8th!
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Register on Eventbrite.
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Please use your work email when you register.
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Reduced rates for in-person tickets are available for all public sector workers, including government employees and academics. Please register with your work email to qualify.
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In-person, full-day attendance includes break snacks and coffee, lunch, and evening reception/buffet dinner. Please indicate any dietary restrictions when you register.
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Virtual attendance is for the morning program only.
Important Dates
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September 7 (midnight) - last day to get early bird rates.
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September 18 (midnight) - last day to purchase in-person tickets.
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September 22 (8am) - last chance to purchase virtual tickets.
Refunds
We understand that due to COVID you may need to change your travel plans at the last minute.
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Until September 7, you may switch your ticket from in-person to virtual and have the difference refunded (less administration fee). To switch your ticket, please contact: kimberly.colburn@utoronto.ca
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Unfortunately, after September 7 we cannot issue refunds for in-person tickets due to catering commitments. Attendees will still be sent a link to attend the virtual morning session. We thank you for your understanding.