News - SIGHT
Pan-African Competition – in Low cost instruments and entrepreneurship for development
The 2020 Pan-African competition in low-cost technologies will serve to identify and develop next generation of young scientists, leaders, and entrepreneurs in Africa. It is open to all countries of Africa.
The organizers
UK: Stoyan Smoukov, Kaspar Althoefer, London, UK
Africa: African Spectral Imaging Network (AFSIN, http://afsinnet.net), Ivory Coast
Objectives
- Design and fabricate a proof-of-concept low cost instruments using a microcontroller in these themes:
1. COVID-19 or malaria-related innovation
2. Robotics and/or automation in the fields of agricultural, energy, or medical use
3. Entrepreneurship in upcycling of computer hard drives into centrifuges for field diagnostics - Develop technical and entrepreneurial innovation capacities of young scientists in African countries.
How to participate?
- Write a 1-page outline describing your instrument to register. Full proposal including the steps already undertaken, , and steps necessary to finalize it (3 pages max, single space, min 11 pt font)
- Proposals should be submitted in English with a (Google Translate) French translation, or vice versa
- Medical equipment proposals should outline tests needed to certify, but not expected to be carried out
- 1. Register your team info & intent to apply before 20th March 2021 at https://afsinnet.net/2020-afsin-competition/
- Organizers will attempt to give feedback to initial proposals. Emails for questions: africalowcostcompetition@qmul.ac.uk and jzoueu@gmail.com
- 2. Final Submission: Upload your full proposal to the website before midnight 31th March 2021.
Selection of good proposals
An international jury made of experts in the field of applied physics and engineering will select 6 projects (2 in each of the 3 themes) taking into account the following criteria:
- Degree of innovation, ability to creatively solve a pressing problem
- Feasibility to create a low-cost proof-of-concept in 3 months, potential for future manufacturing
- Commercial opportunity of the instrument (the number of people who will potentially buy and use the instrument, its low cost/affordability during fabrication and when in the market).
The results of the first selection will be presented on April 15, 2021.
Financial support and training for the finalization of the realization
To help the 6 finalists realize their proof-of concept, there will be a remote training in Arduino and other low cost automation. Following, the jury will make another judgment of the projects before given an approval for the financial support in the finalization process. This will take place from April 15 to May 1, 2021. The amount to given to each project will cover the cost of materials for the prototypes, one from each finalist to be delivered to the organizers at the end of the competition. The organizers will also provide small amounts to fabricate components and support mentors who will follow the realization between daily and bi-weekly. Presentation of the prototypes of the fabricated instruments
Presentation of the prototypes of the fabricated instruments
The realization of prototypes will take place from May 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021. Finalists will submit one fully functioning prototype for evaluation along with full documentation of parts used, fabrication procedures, and any software included. This will be followed-up by experts committed by the organizers.
Results and prizes
Final results will be given in September-October 2021, based on a presentation of the final prototype, its performance, and in light of the original criteria. Three prizes will be given to best prototypes:
1st Theme prize: 1200 Euro, 2nd Theme prize: 1200 Euro , 3rd Theme prize: 1200 Euro
NB: All 6 projects will have benefited from financial support (>€600 on average) for the realization.
The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society - Special Interest Group on Humanitarian technology (RAS-SIGHT) is engaging the academic and non-academic community to propose viable solutions in R&A to address relevant world problems through several initiatives that include competitions, funding impactful projects, and establishment of collaboration networks with academia, industry, and governments. The mission of RAS-SIGHT is the application of robotics and automation technologies for promoting humanitarian causes around the globe, and to leverage existing and emerging technologies for the benefit of humanity in under-served, under-developed areas in collaboration with existing global communities and organizations.
RAS-SIGHT’s activities broadly fall under Challenges and Projects. While Challenges are intended to advance the state-of-the-art in robotics and automation and provide a platform for researchers and developers to participate in a group setting working towards addressing problems with a humanitarian slant, Projects facilitate communities and associated organizations to work closely with robotics and automation researchers to elevate the quality of life for the residents of communities across the globe. RAS-SIGHT envisions Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenges (HRATCs) as an unprecedented opportunity for technologists from around the world to collaborate using their skills and education to benefit humanity. The problems (challenges) are framed with the environmental, cultural, structural, political, socio-economic, and resource constraints so that solutions can be developed, deployed, and sustained.
In this vein, RAS-SIGHT is soliciting proposals that when implemented would improve the quality of life for the beneficiaries. To date, 25 projects have been funded. A listing of previously completed and currently running projects are available from http://ieee-ras.org/ras-sight/projects ('Digests' provide a 1-page summary and 'Reports' (for completed projects) provide more details).
Some important points worth noting:
- The problem that you propose to solve should utilize robotics and/or
automation technologies - It is strongly encouraged that the solution be developed and deployed
with active involvement from the community or the end-users that it is
intended to benefit - Sustainability beyond the completion of the project will be a key
consideration
If you are interested, please submit a 4 page (max.) proposal in the
standard IEEE conference format outlining:
- the problem
- the solution
- related work, similar initiatives, and how the proposed project will
achieve new results than what is currently available, - proposed partnerships with existing initiatives,
- number of people who would be impacted,
- previous experiences, both in terms of applied research and deployment,
- project development timeline,
- breakdown of anticipated costs, and how the funds would be used to
support the project, and - short biographies of project members (with URLs of respective websites)
We anticipate to fund proposals in the US$2500-$5000 range from all Regions of IEEE. Please note that the awarded funds cannot be used to support wages or salaries of personnel or for supporting theoretical research. All submissions should be sent to Lino Marques, Chair,
RAS-SIGHT at <lino@isr.uc.pt>.
IMPORTANT DATES
14 May 2020 - Submission Deadline
24 May 2020 - Acceptance Notifications
Additional information is available from:
- RAS-SIGHT: <http://www.ieee-ras.org/ras-sight>
- RAS-SIGHT Projects: <http://ieee-ras.org/ras-sight/projects>
<http://www.ieee.org/conferences_events/conferences/publishing/templates.html>
Robotics & Automation (R&A) technologies have the potential to transform and improve the lives of humanity by addressing the world's toughest challenges. The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society - Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (RAS-SIGHT) is engaging the academic and non-academic community to propose viable solutions in R&A to address relevant world problems through several initiatives that include competitions, funding impactful projects, and establishment of collaboration networks with academia, industry, and governments. RAS-SIGHT is the first IEEE Society to have a SIGHT! The mission of RAS-SIGHT is the application of robotics and automation technologies for promoting humanitarian causes around the globe, and to leverage existing and emerging technologies for the benefit of humanity in under-served, under-developed areas in collaboration with existing global communities and organizations.
RAS-SIGHT’s activities broadly fall under Challenges and Projects. While Challenges are intended to advance the state-of-the-art in robotics and automation and provide a platform for researchers and developers to participate in a group setting working towards addressing problems with a humanitarian slant, Projects facilitate communities and associated organizations to work closely with robotics and automation researchers to elevate the quality of life for the residents of communities across the globe. RAS-SIGHT envisions Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenges (HRATCs) as an unprecedented opportunity for technologists from around the world to collaborate using their skills and education to benefit humanity. The problems (challenges) are framed with the environmental, cultural, structural, political, socio-economic, and resource constraints so that solutions can be developed, deployed, and sustained.
In this vein, RAS-SIGHT is soliciting proposals that when implemented would improve the quality of life for the beneficiaries. Some important points worth noting:
* The problem that you propose to solve should utilize robotics and/or automation technologies
* It is strongly encouraged that the solution be developed and deployed with active involvement from the community or the end-users that it is intended to benefit
* Sustainability beyond the completion of the project will be a key consideration
If you are interested, please submit a 4 page (max.) proposal in the standard IEEE conference format outlining:
- the problem,
- the solution,
- related work, similar initiatives, and how the proposed project will achieve new results than what is currently available,
- proposed partnerships with existing initiatives,
- number of people who would be impacted,
- previous experiences, both in terms of applied research and deployment,
- project development timeline,
- breakdown of anticipated costs, and how the funds would be used to support the project, and
- short biographies of project members (with URLs of respective websites)
We anticipate funding 4-6 proposals in the US$2500-$5000 range from all Regions of IEEE. Please note that the awarded funds cannot be used to support wages or salaries of personnel or for supporting theoretical research. All submissions should be sent to Raj Madhavan, Chair, RAS-SIGHT at <raj.madhavan@ieee.org>.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Deadline: 3 September 2017
Acceptance Notification: 18 September 2017
Please see the SIGHT section of RAS website for previous and on-going funded projects:
http://www.ieee-ras.org/ras-sight/projects
RAS-SIGHT is the first IEEE Society to have a SIGHT! The mission of RAS-SIGHT is the application of robotics and automation technologies for promoting humanitarian causes around the globe, and to leverage existing and emerging technologies for the benefit of humanity in under-served, under-developed areas in collaboration with existing global communities and organizations.
RAS-SIGHT's activities broadly fall under Challenges and Projects. While Challenges are intended to advance the state-of-the-art in robotics and automation and provide a platform for researchers and developers to participate in a group setting working towards addressing problems with a humanitarian slant, Projects facilitate communities and associated organizations to work closely with robotics and automation researchers to elevate the quality of life for the residents of communities across the globe. RAS-SIGHT envisions Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenges (HRATCs) as an unprecedented opportunity for technologists from around the world to collaborate using their skills and education to benefit humanity. The problems (challenges) are framed with the environmental, cultural, structural, political, socio-economic, and resource constraints so that solutions can be developed, deployed, and sustained.
In this vein, RAS-SIGHT is soliciting proposals that when implemented would improve the quality of life for the beneficiaries. Some important points worth noting:
- The problem that you propose to solve should utilize robotics and/or automation technologies
- It is strongly encouraged that the solution be developed and deployed with active involvement from the community or the end-users that it is intended to benefit
- Sustainability beyond the completion of the project will be a key consideration
- the problem,
- the solution,
- related work, similar initiatives, and how the proposed project will achieve new results than what is currently available,
- proposed partnerships with existing initiatives,
- number of people who would be impacted,
- previous experiences, both in terms of applied research and deployment,
- project development timeline,
- breakdown of anticipated costs, and how the funds would be used to support the project, and
- short biographies of project members (with URLs of respective websites)
Important Dates
27 February 2017- Deadline
10 March 2017- Acceptance Notification
*We anticipate to fund 6-8 proposals in the US$2500-$5000 range from all Regions of IEEE. Please note that the awarded funds cannot be used to support wages or salaries of personnel or for supporting theoretical research.*
*All submissions should be sent to Raj Madhavan, Chair, RAS-SIGHT at <raj.madhavan@ieee.org>*
Useful URLs
RAS-SIGHT | RAS-SIGHT Publications | IEEE Conference Template |
Implementing Robotics and Automation Technology for Social Impact: RAS-SIGHT
posted 02 February 2017
More details on the Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenge (HRATC) can be found following summaries published in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine:
- “2014 Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenge”, Madhavan, R., Marques, L.; Prestes, E., Dasgupta, P., Cabrita, G., Portugal, D., Gouveia, B., Jorge, V., Maffei, R., Franco, G., and Garcia, J., IEEE-RAS Robotics and Automation Magazine, Sept. 2014.
- “2015 Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenge” Madhavan, R., Marques, L., Prestes, E., Maffei, R., Jorge, V., Gil, B., Dogru, S., Cabrita, G., Neuland, R., and Dasgupta, P., IEEE-RAS Robotics and Automation Magazine, Sept. 2015.
- “2016 Humanitarian Robotics and Automation Technology Challenge”, E. Prestes, L. Marques, R. Neuland, M. Mantelli, R. Maffei, S. Dogru, José Prado, J. Macedo, and R. Madhavan, IEEE-RAS Robotics and Automation Magazine, Sept. 2016.
More information on RAS-SIGHT and its goals and events have been covered in:
- SIGHT June 2014 Newsletter
- Clearpath Robotics, Inc. Blog on HRATC'14
- RAS-SIGHT was featured in the IEEE newspaper, The Institute.
