IEEE Robotics and Automation Society E-Newsletter January 2008 Volume 6, Number 1 Welcome to RASeNews, the IEEE RAS email newsletter. RASeNews is limited to short announcements of RAS Conferences, RAS society 'action items', breaking news, and time-sensitive issues. Send comments, queries and news items to r.g.snyder@ieee.org. CONTENTS 1. IEEE RAS 2008 Initiatives: Deadline for Proposals Feb 15 2. RAS AdCom Election Results 3. 2008 Society Initiative Grants: Call for Applications 4. Call for Nominations: IEEE and RAS Society Awards ----------- 1. IEEE RAS 2008 INITIATIVES: DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS FEB 15 There were formatting problems and an error in the announcement of the RAS 2008 Initiative Grants in the RAS enews mailed January 17. The Deadline for proposals is FEBRUARY 15, 2008. All proposals should be sent to the RAS Society Administrator r.g.snyder@ieee.org. All proposal swill be acknowleged. ----------- 2. RAS ADCOM ELECTION RESULTS Congratulations and thanks to the six new members of the Robotics and Automation Society Administrative Committee, who will serve a three year term 2008-10. The newly elected members are: At-Large * Alessandro De Luca, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Italy * Peter Corke, CSIRO, Australia Geographical Area 1: IEEE Regions 1-7, 9 * Lynne Parker, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA Geographical Area 2: IEEE Region 8 * Stefano Stramigioli, University of Twente, The Netherlands Geographical Area 3: IEEE Region 10 * Shigeki Sugano, Waseda University, Japan * Satoshi Tadokoro, Tohoku University, Japan 2007 was the first year RAS members had the opportunity to use electronic ballots. The result was that 1217 of the 1246 votes were cast via the web. More than twice as many RAS members voted in this adcom election as did in any of the past 5 years. The 18 elected AdCom members serve staggered three year terms, and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. All members of graduate student grade or higher may vote. Members may vote for six candidates regardless of region. ----------- 3. 2008 SOCIETY INITIATIVE GRANTS: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS As a result of a new IEEE policy, the Robotics and Automation Society anticipates being able to use some of its 2008 budget to fund a modest number of initiatives that would benefit society members in general. We expect a maximum of $60,000 to be available to support initiatives. We hope to be able to fund several initiatives in the range of $5000 to $24900. ----------- 4. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: IEEE AND RAS SOCIETY AWARDS Nominations for the the following IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Awards are due March 1. * RAS Chapter of the Year Award * RAS Most Active Technical Committee Award * RAS Most Active Distinguished Lecturer Award * RAS Pioneer Award * RAS Early Career Award * IEEE-RAS Distinguished Service Award * IEEE InabaTechnical Award for Innovation Leading to Production * IEEE/IFR Invention and Entrepreneurship Award * IEEE RAS George Saridis Leadership Award in Robotics and Automation A description and list of previous recipients of each award is available on the RAS webpage at http://www.ieee-ras/member/awardsRAS.php. Nominators should use the appropriate Nomination Forms which are available on the RAS Secretary webpage, at http://www.ieee-ras.org/secretary/documents.php under "Volunteer Resources." Please send the completed nominations form to the RAS Administrator at r.g.snyder@ieee.org. Nominations for the IEEE Robotics Technical Field Award must be submitted to the IEEE by January 31. Please see http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/about/awards/sums/robotaut.html for details and instructions for nominators. Nominations for IEEE Fellow must be submitted to the IEEE by March 1. Please see http://www.ieee.org/web/membership/fellows/fellow_apps.html for applications and instructions. -----------