How to train your robot: Cardiff Met lecturer to speak at leading Chinese technology forum

A Cardiff Met lecturer has been invited to attend the prestigious Micius Forum hosted by the University of Technology and Science of China (UTSC) and present his research into robotics and real-time motion planning.

The global event will take place from 18-21 April in Hefei. Running in its third year, Micius has become a prominent event for anyone working in the technology and science sector, attracting hundreds of young scientists and established scholars from all over the world each year.

Dr Pengcheng Liu, a senior lecturer in Engineering and Design Technology at Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Cardiff School of Technologies was selected to speak about his research in robotics at this year’s forum.

In the last five months, Dr Liu has played a significant role in Cardiff Met’s EUREKA Robotics Lab (Ethical-Ubiquitous Robotics driving Economy and Knowledge Accelerator).

The innovative research hub collaborates closely with businesses and universities, building on artificial intelligence and data visualisation. It looks to advance autonomous robots and intelligent systems, aiming to provide world-class research and educational innovation.

Dr Liu will introduce his research in the design and control of autonomous robotic systems, particularly the development of real-time motion/path planning algorithms that will help cope with the uncertain complexities society faces through human demonstrations, such as rigid obstacles and deformable objects. In his presentation, he will provide fellow young researchers with an overview of his research and highlight its key challenges and solutions.

He said:

I’m very excited and honoured to have been given this invitation. This is a great opportunity to not only share our research with people who are at the cutting-edge of new technological solutions, but also to build up new connections on behalf of Cardiff Met and Cardiff School of Technologies that can lead to future academic collaborations and postgraduate student schemes.

Professor Jon Platts, Dean of Cardiff School of Technologies, said: “In his short time at Cardiff Metropolitan, Dr Liu has made a big impact on both our research and teaching capabilities. He is central to our plans for the growing School of Technologies and in particular our key interest in robotics. It was with great delight then that we learned of his invite to the prestigious Micius Forum at the University of Science and Technology of China. We are confident that he will continue to build on his impressive links for the benefit of the new school here at Cardiff Met.”