Strategic References

European Commission – Research & Innovation – FP7. The Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union for the funding of research and technological development in Europe.

European Commission – ICT Challenge 2: Cognitive Systems and Robotics. Research, innovation and policies in robotic technologies.

Strategic agenda – Robotics for Inspection & Maintenance. A Petrochemical Industry perspective on the EU Horizon 2020 Robotics programme.

euRobotics AISBL. A Brussels based international non-profit association for all stakeholders in European robotics.

Horizon 2020. The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Other Robotic Systems, Challenges and Technology Blogs

European Robotics Challenge (EuRoC). Challenges aimed at sharpening the focus of European manufacturing through a number of robotic application experiments; one of these challenges is related to plant servicing and inspection.

Hull Inspection Techniques & Strategy (HITS) Joint Industry Project. An international initiative targeted at improving the way the Industry manages the integrity of marine structures such as floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs).

Autonomous Robot for Gas & Oil Sites (ARGOS) Challenge. A robotics challenge hosted by Total and the French National Research Agency (ANR).

HWM Robot System TELBOT®. A Norwegian Joint Industry Project aimed at pressure vessel inspection by means of a robotic arm.

RoboShip.  An autonomous robot for the inspection and maintenance of ballast water tanks in ships.

IEEE. IEEE’s core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.

IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. Fostering the development and facilitating the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge in Robotics and Automation.

IEEE Spectrum Automaton. Robotics blog.

Advanced Research Center on Electronic Systems ARCES. An excellence center (EC) in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)  at the University of Bologna, Italy.

American Automatic Control Counsil AACC. The AACC promotes the United States to the world automatic control community, the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC).

NDT.net. An open access database of Nondestructive Testing (NDT).

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT).  A large technical society for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Promotes the art, science & practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe.

British Automation and Robotic Association (BARA). BARA is a member organisation of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) which represents similar, but predominantly robotic interests, on a global scale.

The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT). The British Institute of NDT is the professional institute for all those engaged in non-destructive testing and condition monitoring. It is concerned with the education and training of its members, and the advancement of the science and practice of the subject.

The Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE).  CINDE is a not-for-profit organisation offering professional membership and education for NDT personnel.

The International Society of Automation (ISA). ISA develops standards, certifies industry professionals, provides education and training, publishes books and technical articles, and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals.

The Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE). A large technical and scientific association in Europe, promoting the national and international transfer of technical know-how.