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The Future of Robotics in Finland seminar, which took place last Autumn, will be held this year as well. Aalto University will be organising the seminar together with its partner organisations on 28 October 2014 as part of National Robotics Week. The seminar's programme will focus on forming a roadmap for national robotics through introductory presentations and workshops. Finland's National Robotics Roadmap is a joint project of researchers and the business world aimed at forming a systematic and nationwide plan for robotics development in Finland. The Robotics Roadmap would guide national developments in the field in the face of accelerating international competition.

- Robotics is believed to be the next world-transforming technology, which could have just as large a social significance as the mainstreaming of computers. The field requires a clear direction and cohesive plan so that as a small country we will be able to compete internationally, explains Professor Ville Kyrki from Aalto University.

The speakers and invitees for this cooperative seminar are the main players in the field, and the goal is to plan the future of robotics in Finland. Involved in the preparations for the Roadmap project are Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, University of Oulu, IEEE Finland CS/RA/SMC Chapter, Finland Robotics Association and FIMA Forum for Intelligent Machines. The aim is to have the Roadmap ready by Spring 2015.

A diverse programme for Robotics Week

The EU Robotics Week and Finland's National Robotics Week will both take place 24–30 November 2014. The goal of Robotics Week is to raise awareness about the spread of robotics and its effect on society, people and business, and also to encourage and inspire young people to take up studies and seek work in the robotics field. Robotics Week will be held in Viikki, Helsinki, in the Robot Valley situated next to the Museum of Technology.

Aalto University will be one of the exhibitors in Robot Valley. Also, Professor of Intelligent Robotics Ville Kyrki will take part in the panel discussions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Seminar time and location: Aalto University, Friday 28 November 2014, 9:00-16:00, Otaniementie 17, TUAS building,  lecture hall TU2