Invention and Entrepreneurship Award

Introduction

In 2005 the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (IEEE/RAS) and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) agreed to jointly sponsor the Invention and Entrepreneurship Award. The purpose of this award is to highlight and honor the achievements of the inventors with value creating ideas and entrepreneurs who propel those ideas into world-class products. At the same time the joint disposition of the award underlines the determination of both organizations to promote stronger collaboration between robotics science and robotics industry. The annual presented award consists of a plaque and a $2,000 honorarium.

Applications and Presentation 2011

In a joint event the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and the International Federation of Robotics recognized and honored outstanding achievements of entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative robotic and automation technology. These achievements were recognized in a specially organized IEEE/IFR Joint Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation, which was held in conjunction with the 2011 IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation (ICRA). The selected finalists presented their story of the genesis of a successful innovative product in robotics and automation from its very inception to the final state of commercialization in a series of plenary lectures. The ultimate winner was chosen by an evaluation board, consisting of distinguished individuals from industry and academia.

On 9 May during the ICRA Reception Party the IERA Award was presented to Bruno Maisonnier, Aldebaran Robotics for his Humanoid Robot NAO. A prestigious plaque was awarded to each finalist and a US$ 2,000 prize was awarded to the winner.

Applications and Presentation 2012

In 2012 the IEEE/IFR Joint Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation will be held in conjunction with the International Trade Fair for Automation and Mechatronics (AUTOMATICA) on 23rd May 2012 in Munich.

The nominated finalists will present their applications at the IERA Award Session from 13:00 hrs to 16:30 hrs in hall A3, room A31/32.  The winner will be announced at the IERA Networking-Dinner starting at 19:00 hrs at the restaurant "Seeblick" at the fairground of Messe Munich. Both events are open to the public. For the IERA Networking-Dinner is a registration and the payment of 60EUR per person essential.

Please download the Call for Applications (pdf 47 kb) for more details.

Award Winners