Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Sponsoring International Robotic Handshake Competition
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Sponsoring International Robotic Handshake Competition
December 30, 2009
Press Releases, Robotics & High-Tech
BEER-SHEVA, ISRAEL — June 18, 2010 — Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) will be sponsoring the world’s first international tournament to build robots that can shake hands.
Dr. Amir Karniel, an engineer at BGU, announced the competition last week at the Sixth Computational Motor Control Workshop, led by the Biomedical Engineering Department of BGU.
“The handshake is of interest not merely as a reduced version of the ultimate humanoid test, but also due to its bidirectional nature, in which both sides actively shake hands and explore each other,” Dr. Karniel explains. “It can tell us a lot about people’s motor control.”
Karniel believes a better understanding of the mechanics of a human handshake can result in the rise of medical applications, such as judging the extent of the disability of a person with cerebral palsy by shaking his hand.
To be considered for the competition, the robots must have motor intelligence, the construction of a human-like robot, with abilities indistinguishable from those of a human. The entries for the competition could include robots that can communicate with each other or do other various things besides just shake hands.
Applicants should present an initial idea to Dr. Karniel by the end of August at [email protected] by submitting their name, affiliation, e-mail address, research field, title of the proposed handshake, and a few words about the main idea of their proposed algorithm.
“BGU is the leading Israeli university in the development of robotics applications in a number of areas, including homeland security, agriculture and healthcare,” explains Doron Krakow, executive vice president of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “This is one more endeavor that should reap very interesting results.”
The winner will be announced at next year’s computational motor control conference, and will receive $1,000.
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
For all press inquiries, please contact:
James Fattal, J Cubed Communications
516.289.1496
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