MCPA'93 Call for Contributions

[Anders Lansner]

MCPA'93  Final Call

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*                         Invitation to                                    *
*       International Workshop on Mechatronical Computer Systems           *
*               for Perception and Action, June 1-3, 1993                  *
*                       Halmstad University,  Sweden                       *
*                                                                          *
*                     Final Call for Contributions                         *
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Mechatronical Computer Systems that Perceive and Act - A New Generation
=======================================================================

Mechatronical computer systems, which we will see in 
advanced products and production equipment of tomorrow, 
are designed to do much more than calculate. The interaction 
with the environment and the integration of computational 
modules in every part of the equipment, engaging in every 
aspect of its functioning, put new, and conceptually different, 
demands on the computer system. A development towards a 
complete integration between the mechanical system, 
advanced sensors and actuators, and a multitude of process-
ing modules can be foreseen. At the systems level, powerful 
algorithms for perceptual integration, goal-direction and 
action planning in real time will be critical components. The 
resulting action-oriented systems may interact with their 
environments by means of sophisticated sensors and actua-
tors, often with a high degree of parallelism, and may be able 
to learn and adapt to different circumstances and environ-
ments. Perceiveing the objects and events of the external 
world and acting upon the situation in accordance with an 
appropriate behaviour, whether programmed, trained, or 
learned, are key functions of these, next generation, compu-
ter systems.

The aim of this first International Workshop on Mechatronical 
Computer Systems for Perception and Action is to gather 
researchers and industrial development engineers, who work 
with different aspects of this exciting new generation of com-
puting systems and computer-based applications, to a fruitful 
exchange of ideas and results and, often interdisciplinary, dis-
cussions. 

Workshop Form
=============

One of the days of the workshop will be devoted to true work-
shop activities. The objective is to identify and propose 
research directions and key problem areas in mechatronical 
computing systems for perception and action. In the morning 
session, invited speakers, as well as other workshop dele-
gates, will give their perspectives on the theme of the work-
shop. The work will proceed in smaller working groups during 
the afternoon, after which the conclusions will be presented in 
a plenary session.

The scientific programme will also include presentations of 
research results in oral or poster form, or as demonstrations.

Subject Areas
=============

Relevant subject areas are e.g.:

Real-Time Systems Architecture and Real-Time Software.

Sensor Systems and Sensory/Motor Coordination.

Biologically Inspired Systems.

Applications of Unsupervised and Reinforcement Learning.

Real-Time Decision Making and Action Planning.

Parallel Processor Architectures for Embedded Systems.

Development Tools and Support Systems for Mechatronical 
Computer Systems and Applications.

Dependable Computer Systems.

Robotics and Machine Vision.

Neural Networks in Real-Time Applications.

Advanced Mechatronical Computing Demands in Industry.

Contributions to the Workshop
=============================

The programme committee welcomes all kinds of contribu-
tions - papers to be presented orally or as posters, demon-
strations, etc. - in the areas listed above, as well as other 
areas of relevance to the theme of the workshop.

>From the workshop point of view, it is NOT essential that con-
tributions contain only new, unpublished results. Rather, the 
new, interdisciplinary collection of delegates that can be 
expected at the workshop may motivate presentations of ear-
lier published results.

Specifically, we invite delegates to state their view of the 
workshop theme, including identification of key research 
issues and research directions. The planning of the workshop 
day will be based on these submitted statements , some of 
which will be presented in the plenary session, some of which 
in the smaller working groups.

DEADLINES
=========

Febr. 26, 1993: Submissions of extended abstracts or full 
papers. Submissions of statements regarding perspectives 
on the conference theme, that the delegate would like to 
present at the workshop (4 pages max). Submissions of 
descriptions of demonstrations, etc.

March 19, 1993: Notification of acceptance. Preliminary final 
programme.

May 1, 1993: Final papers and statements.

All submissions shall be sent to the workshop secretariat, see 
address box. Please send two copies. Submissions must 
include name(s) and affiliation(s) of author(s) and full 
address, including phone and fax number and electronic mail 
address (if possible).

The accepted papers and statements will be assembled into 
a Proceedings book given to the Workshop attendees. After 
the workshop a revised version of the proceedings, including 
results of the workshop discussions, will be published by an 
international publisher.

Invited speakers
================

Prof. John A. Stankovic, University of Massachusetts, USA, 
and Scuola Superiore S. Anna, Pisa, Italy:

"Major Real-Time Challenges for Mechatronical Systems"

Prof. Jan-Olof Eklundh, CVAP, Royal Institute of Technology, 
Stockholm, Sweden:

"Computer Vision and Seeing Systems"

Prof. Dave Cliff, School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences
and Neuroscience IRC, University of Sussex, U.K.

"Animate Vision in an Artificial Fly: A Study in Computational Neuroethology" &
"Visual Sensory-Motor Networks Without Design: Evolving Visually Guided Robots"

(More invited speakers to be confirmed.)

ORGANISERS
==========

The workshop is arranged by CCA, the Centre for Computer 
Architecture at Halmstad University, Sweden, in cooperation 
with the DAMEK Mechatronics Research Group and the 
SANS (Studies of Artificial Neural Systems) Research Group, 
both at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, 
Sweden, and the Department of Computer Engineering, 
Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.

The Organising Committee includes:

Lars Bengtsson, CCA, Organising Chair

Anders Lansner, SANS

Kenneth Nilsson, CCA

Bertil Svensson, Chalmers University of Technology and 
CCA, Programme and Conference Chair

Per-Arne Wiberg, CCA

Jan Wikander, DAMEK

The workshop is supported by SNNS, the Swedish Neural 
Network Society.

It is financially supported by Halmstad University, the County 
Administration of Halland, Swedish industries and NUTEK 
(the Swedish National Board for Industrial and Technical 
Development).

Programme Committee
===================

Bertil Svensson, Sweden (chair)

Paolo Ancilotti, Italy

Lars Bengtsson, Sweden

Giorgio Buttazzo, Italy

Robert Forchheimer, Sweden

Anders Lansner, Sweden

Kenneth Nilsson, Sweden

John Stankovic, Italy and USA   

Jan Torin, Sweden

Hendrik van Brussel, Belgium

Per-Arne Wiberg, Sweden

Jan Wikander, Sweden

Workshop Language: English

Workshop fee: SEK 2 000, incl. proceedings, lunch-
eons, reception and workshop dinner. Early registration 
(before April 20) SEK 1750.

The number of attendees to the workshop is limited. Among 
those not submitting a contribution attendance will be given 
on a first-come, first-served basis.

Social Activities
=================

Reception, workshop dinner.

Deep sea fishing tour or a visit at Varberg castle/fortress 
and museum.

Bring your family, a programme for accompanying persons 
will be arranged.

How to get there
================

Halmstad is situated on the west coast of Sweden between 
Copenhagen and Gothenburg (major international airports). 
With a distance of 150 kilometres to each of these cities it is 
easy and convenient to reach Halmstad by train, bus or car. 
Halmstad Airport is linked to Stockholm International Airport 
(Arlanda). Flight time Stockholm - Halmstad is 50 minutes.

Accomodation
============

Arrangements will be made with local hotels, both downtown 
Halmstad and at the seaside. Different price categories will be 
available. Please let us know what price category and loca-
tion you prefer and we help you with the booking. Payment is 
made directly to the hotel. Prices (breakfast included) in SEK:

CATEGORY 1: SEK 750-850 single room, 750-950 double room

	Downtown	Single room ( )		Double room ( )

	Seaside		Single room ( )		Double room ( )

CATEGORY 2: SEK 400 single room, 450 double room

	Near town	Single room ( )		Double room ( )

Transportation between the hotels and the University will be 
arranged.


( )  I register already now. Send preliminary programme when available.

( )  I do not register yet but want the preliminary programme when available.



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MCPA Workshop
Centre for Computer Architecture
Halmstad University
Box 823
S-30118 HALMSTAD
Sweden

Tel. +46 35 153134 (Lars Bengtsson)
Fax. +46 35 157387
email: mcpa at cca.hh.se
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