[robocup-worldwide] CFP - RSS Workshop on Constrained decision-making in robotics: models, algorithms, and applications

[Stefano Carpin]

Call for posters and participation

RSS Workshop on "Constrained decision-making in robotics: models, algorithms, and applications"

http://robotics.ucmerced.edu/RSS2014Workshop

Berkeley, July 13, 2014 (full day)

- Abstract:
As the complexity of robotic tasks grows, robotic decision makers increasingly face the problem of trading off different objectives. For example, a rescue robot might be required to plan trajectories so as to maximize the probability of success to reach a victim and, at the same time, minimize the duration of the traversal (a task often contrasting the one of ensuring safety). A natural framework for this class of problems is constrained decision-making, whereby a decision maker seeks to optimize a given cost function (often stochastic) while keeping other costs (usually involving risk assessments) below given bounds. In the last decade, the operations research community has made significant strides on the topics of constrained decision-making (notoriously more challenging than the unconstrained counterpart) and risk assessments in dynamic scenarios. The result is a comprehensive theory and a set of algorithmic tools for (risk)-constrained decision-making. Yet, despite their relevance, these results have seen limited application within the robotics domain. Accordingly, the objective of this workshop is threefold:
(1) To convene together, arguably for the first time, researchers working in the areas of decision-making, risk theory, and robotics to facilitate a joint discussion on (risk)-constrained decision-making in robotics.
(2) To inform robotic researchers about the state of the art in constrained decision-making and modern risk theory.
(3) To formulate a research agenda on the topics of risk modeling for robotics applications, algorithmic approaches for robotic decision-making under constraints, and application of these results to robotic planning.

The workshop will feature eight confirmed invited speakers spanning a number of fields, including robotics, risk management, operations research, and aeronautics and astronautics, both from academia and from industry (see  website for details). Interdisciplinarity will indeed be a key thrust of this workshop. An interactive poster session will take place in the afternoon. We solicit and encourage submissions from practitioners and theoreticians active in the area of constrained decision making. All accepted papers will be distributed to all participants.

- Important dates

Submission deadline: April 30, 2014
Notification of acceptance: May 10, 2014
Deadline for early registration: May 15, 2014
Final version: June 1st, 2014

Instructions for submission are available on http://robotics.ucmerced.edu/RSS2014Workshop#CFP

- Journal special issue

A followup special issue of the Autonomous Robots journal on the topic of constrained decision making in robotics has been approved. A call for papers will be distributed in the coming weeks. Submission will be open to everyone, but workshop presenters and attendees are particularly encouraged to submit their contributions.

- Organizers

Stefano Carpin, University of California, Merced
Marco Pavone, Stanford University

Stefano Carpin, Ph.D
Associate Professor
School of Engineering
University of California, Merced
http://faculty.ucmerced.edu/scarpin
http://robotics.ucmerced.edu<http://robotics.ucmerced.edu/>

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