Prof. Ning XI,

Chair Professor of Robotics and Automation and the Director of Emerging Technologies Institute of the University of Hong Kong

Title

    Robotics and Automation in the Information Era

Abstract

    The recent development in information technology has significantly enhanced the scale of robotics and automation. For example, research results have shown that effectively bridging CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) with robotics can improve the autonomy of manufacturing processes. In this talk, the theoretical foundation and the examples of applications to apply the new development in information technology such as computer vision, artificial intelligence, and robotics to manufacturing automation will be presented. The examples of applications include automotive manufacturing, assembly of electronic devices, food processing, as well as micro and nano manufacturing. The technical problems that will be discussed include process planning, integration of design and manufacturing, product inspection, and quality control.

Biography

    Professor Ning Xi received D.Sc. degree in Systems Science and Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA in December 1993. Currently he is the Chair Professor of Robotics and Automation and the Director of Emerging Technologies Institute of the University of Hong Kong. Before joining the University of Hong Kong, he was a University Distinguished Professor, the John D. Ryder Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of Robotics and Automation Laboratory at Michigan State University in United States. He also served as the founding head of the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (2011-2013). Dr. Xi received the Best Paper Award in IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in August, 1995, and the Best Paper Award in the 1998 Japan-USA Symposium on Flexible Automation. Dr. Xi was awarded the first Early Academic Career Award by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society in May, 1999. He also received The Best Paper Award of IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering in 2007. Dr. Xi was awarded SPIE Nano Engineering Award in 2007. In addition, he is a recipient of US National Science Foundation CAREER Award. Dr. Xi is a fellow of IEEE. He also served as the President of IEEE Nanotechnology Council (2010-2011), a member of Administrative Committee of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (2013-2015). He has been elected as the President of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (2018-2019). His research interests include robotics, manufacturing automation, micro/nano manufacturing, nano sensors and devices, and intelligent control and systems.