Within the framework of its centers of excellence program, the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness has awarded the distinction 'María de Maeztu' to the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI), a jointly-funded university institute of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). The center will receive 500,000 euros per year to develop a strategic research program in human-centered robotics for four years.
The Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI), with Juan Andrade as director, develops research activities in the fields of robotics and automatic control. The center's research is structured into four main lines, three of which (kinematics and robot design, mobile robotics, and perception and manipulation) address different aspects of robotics, including the design and construction of man-centered robotic systems, for both indoor and outdoor use. The fourth line (advanced automatic control systems) is especially focused on the modeling, control and supervision of energy and water systems, and on improving energy efficiency in fuel cells.
The distinction 'María de Maeztu', within the program of centers of excellence of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, recognizes the excellence of the organizational structures of research that are smaller than the centers, located mainly in universities. In addition to IRI, four research unit distinctions have also been awarded: the research group on Teledetection, Antennas, Microwave and Superconductivity (CommSensLab), also from UPC; The Center for Monetary and Financial Studies in Madrid; The CIC Nanogune of nanosciences of San Sebastián; and the Galician Institute of High Energy Physics of the University of Santiago de Compostela.
This call has two purposes. On the one hand, the recognition and accreditation of the best centers and units that stand out for the impact and international relevance of the results obtained in the last four years. On the other hand, the financing of the strategic plans and programs developed by the units with the objective of consolidating their scientific capacities and contributing to their international leadership.
More information:
Press releaseCommuniqué of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness on the concessions of the distinctions 'Severo Ochoa' and 'María de Maeztu'
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