Robotics Summit keynote to present open foundation for AI-powered robots

The worlds of artificial intelligence and robotics are colliding in exciting ways, making open-source technology more crucial than ever. That's according to Open Robotics, an organization that maintains the Robot Operating System and the Gazebo simulator. Next week, at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, the company will explore how the technology ecosystem is evolving to meet the demands of the AI era.

In a keynote titled "An Open Foundation for the Age of AI-Powered Robots," Open Robotics will discuss how open-source technology is driving innovation in automation and physical AI while fostering a robust, collaborative community. Brian Gerkey, co-founder and former CEO of Open Robotics, will highlight the strategic vision of the Open Source Robotics Alliance (OSRA), focusing on expanding accessibility, integrating modern tools, and tackling safety and security challenges. Attendees at the summit can learn how Open Robotics is empowering the next generation of developers and gain insights into its roadmap for broader industry adoption.

The organization invites roboticists to join it in building an open foundation for the age of AI-powered robotics. Gerkey's session is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 28, in Room 253 ABC of the Thomas M.

Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. Gerkey, now chief technology officer at Intrinsic, is working to democratize access to robotics. He is also a board member of the Open Source Robotics Foundation (OSRF) and has worked at Willow Garage, SRI International, Stanford University, and the University of Southern California.

Gerkey is a strong believer in open-source technology and has frequently contributed to and benefited from it. Note that Gerkey's session replaces a previously announced keynote with Russ Tedrake, an MIT professor and former senior vice president of large behavior models at the Toyota Research Institute. The Robotics Summit & Expo, produced by The Robot Report and parent company WTWH Media, is the world's leading technical event for commercial robotics developers.

The event features over 50 sessions, more than 70 speakers from top companies, and various networking opportunities, including a Mix & Mingle Networking Reception and the RBR50 Awards Dinner.