Today，we have entered a new era of rapid development of science and technology, and witnessed an intelligent era based on the development of robots. Robots have affected every aspect of our lives. The 12th International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Applications (ICIRA 2019), with the theme of “Robot Era”, focused on the application of robotics, automation, mechatronics and related technologies, which provided an important academic exchange platform for robotics scholars. As the main organizer of this conference, the Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences has made continuous exploration in the field of robotics and achieved fruitful results, winning the institute “the cradle of China's robotics development”.
In this conference, the conference proceedings “Intelligent Robotics and Applications” (Part I) was published, with Yu Haibin, Liu Jinguo, Liu Lianqing and others published as editors. This book introduces the advanced research results of robot design, manufacturing, control and other related fields for different types of robots, including social robots, medical robots, field robots, industrial robots, etc. These robots have been widely applied in service, construction, forestry, agriculture, field, search and rescue, underwater missions, on-orbital services and planetary exploration.
With the advent of the“Industry 4.0”and 5G era, the robotics field is developing rapidly. A new generation of information technology, represented by artificial intelligence, quantum information, mobile communications, and the Internet of Things is accelerating breakthrough applications. Advanced manufacturing technologies that integrate robotics, digitization, and new materials are accelerating the transformation of manufacturing to intelligent, service-oriented, and green manufacturing.
Space and marine technologies are expanding the territory of human survival and development. The new era has given a new definition of science and technology and a new mission of scientific and technological innovation. In the future, it will open up a new era of intelligent robot to realize the leapfrog development of robot and intelligent manufacturing technology.
For more than 60 years, the Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences has been forging ahead with an eye on excellence. It has been achieved continuous breakthroughs in the fields of robotics, intelligent manufacturing and opto-electronic information technology, including a series of marine robots, advanced space robots, special robots, nano-robots and life-like robots, China’s first industrial 4.0 intelligent production model line, etc.“Haiyi”, “Qianlong”, “Haidou” and other series of marine robots have provided solid technological foundation for China’s marine scientific research, deep-sea mineral resources exploration, and trench scientific research. Space automation technology has contributed to the implementation of China’s major engineering projects. Intelligent manufacturing technologies have helped the transformation and upgrading of China’s manufacturing industry. Opto-electronic information technology has promoted the development of national defense science and technology. The institute has always been standing at the forefront of national demands.
Nowadays, China is experiencing a critical period of rapid development of science and technology, with opportunities and challenges coexisting. Technological innovation has been made the country’s basic strategy. Building a strong country in science and technology and innovation has become the common goal of a new generation of researchers. Researchers at the Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences will continue their relentless efforts in scientific and technological innovation, getting ready for the new era of intelligent robots.
