Within the activities of the UAE innovate at the UAE University

The 6^th Symposium on Social Robots, organized by the College of Information Technology and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the UAE University, in cooperation with New York University - Abu Dhabi, discussed the research and applications of social robots and their role during epidemics and crises, as part of the "UAE Innovates" week.

Dr. Fady Al-Najjar, the organizer, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab at the UAE University, and Associate Professor at the College of Information Technology, explained that smart social robots have a major role in helping humans in times of crisis. He said, "During the Corona pandemic, robots have proven their ability to help humans, as it was used in sterilization operations and dealing with patients in delivering medicine and food to rooms to maintain the safety of the medical staff, in addition to its participation in monitoring compliance with social distancing and adherence to precautionary measures in public places. It was also programmed to assist in nasal swab sampling operations and motivate the community to adhere for their safety.”

"We do not deny that robots will also have an active role in space exploration and accompanying astronauts on their journeys to space. This topic is being prepared to participate in the upcoming Expo events," he noted.

The participants reviewed a number of studies and various papers. Professor Christoph Bartnick, from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, presented a paper entitled “Why robots will be in common use”, in addition to a panel discussion entitled “Challenges in the field of robotics research in times of epidemic”, attended by Professor Tony from the University of Jant from Italy, Dr. Sofia Ouhbi from the College of Information Technology - UAEU, and Dr. Omar Mobin from the Australian Western University. Dr. Borja Soto from New York University Abu Dhabi discussed a paper entitled “Are self-propelled robots ready for use in the field of construction?

The symposium also addressed the topic of "virtual robots", Professor Ron Shirsley from the University of Sussex in Britain presented a paper entitled "Social Understanding with Intelligent Robots". This was followed by a panel discussion entitled "Robot Applications in the COVID-19 Period", attended by Dr. Jürgen from the University of Marburg - Germany, Dr. Salvia from the Italian University of Naples Federico, and Professor Abderrahmane Lakas from the College of Information Technology - UAEU.