Chair: Andrew Senior, Google

Panelists: Rama Chellappa, University of Maryland; Irfan Essa, Georgia Tech; David Nahamoo, IBM; Mari Ostendorf, University of Washington

Abstract: In this session we will explore some of the core perception technologies required to enable the person-computer interactions of the future. We will explore different aspects of the interface, from sensing and perception to understanding, across modalities such as speech and vision.

Chair: Vijay Kumar, University of Pennsylvania

Panelists: Volkan Isler, University of Minnesota; Jams Kuffner, Google; Edward Lee, UC Berkeley; Lynne Parker, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Abstract: This session will address challenges in developing smart networked systems with embedded sensors, processors and actuators that are designed to sense and interact with the physical world (including human users) and their applications to different industry sectors including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and transportation. The panelists will articulate the fundamental principles for creating swarms of robots and sensors interacting with humans, paradigms for interactions between networked humans and networked machines, research and development challenges for the design and verification of software to provide guaranteed performance and reliability, development of standards, and operating systems and reference architectures for large scale networked embedded systems

Chair: Seth Teller, MIT

Panelists: Chris Harrison, Carnegie Mellon Univesity; Charlie Kemp, Georgia Tech; Shiri Azenkot, University of Washington, Stefanie Tellex, Brown University

Abstract: This session will cover challenges in the realization of embodied systems that perceive and model the state, goals, and physical context of both the system user and the system itself. Panelists will identify and elaborate the challenges of perceiving, representing, and operationalizing such information to the benefit of the user in a variety of task domains including social activities, employment, health and wellness including self-care, recreation including exercise, education, and other activities of daily living for both the general population and people with disabilities.

Chair: Maja Mataric, University of Southern California

Panelists: Henrik Christensen, Georgia Tech; Deborah Estrin, Cornell; Holly Yanco, University of Massachusetts, Lowell; Tanzeem Choudhury, Cornell

Abstract: This session will address the challenges of providing personalized assistance to users in everyday settings, through non-physical interaction. This includes screen-based interaction, remote presence, and embodied agents (robots), all of which interact through expressivity. The domains of relevance include therapeutic settings (e.g., for developmental disorders such as autism), rehabilitation (stroke, TBI), education (schools as well as informal learning settings), living with disability, and aging in place (homes of the elderly). In all cases, the technology aims to mitigate isolation, motivate proscribed wellness-promoting behaviors and practices, and improve health and/or learning outcomes and quality of life.