Paulo Dario presents the Robot Companions for Citizens coordination action at FET11

Robot Companions for Citizens is of one six pilot initiatives that was officially presented at FET11

FET11 (European Future Technologies Conference Exhibition) was the second installment of a new forum dedicated to new research in information and communication technologies (ICT).  The conference, held May 4-6, 2011 in Budapest, Hungary, featured the launching of Robot Companions for Citizens as one of  6 Pilot Actions that will now be funded until May of 2012.

These coordination actions have 12 months to create a design and description of their initiative. In the spring of 2012 the FET Flagship Pilots will have to present a structured community in good position to implement their integrated research agenda, including the involvement and commitment from key stakeholders. In the second half of 2012 at least two of the Pilots are expected to be chosen to be launched as full FET Flagship Initiatives in 2013.

What are FET Flagship initiatives?

Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Flagship initiatives are part of the European Commission’s effort to fund novel and groundbreaking research. Since European FET research was launched in 1989, it has served as a pathfinder for identifying and shaping radically new information technologies. With present funding of around € 100 million a year, it supports scientists and engineers venturing into uncharted areas beyond the frontiers of traditional ICT by fostering multidisciplinary research collaboration at the highest level, around novel research ideas and themes.

Click HERE to watch BBC’s clip on FET11, the pilot actions and the Flagship initiatives