CTO of RoboSafety, Shares Expertise at CREATE TRAVERSAL Workshop

Digital Marketing Team

RoboSafety is thrilled to announce that our CTO, Donia Chaouch, was a distinguished panelist at the CREATE TRAVERSAL Workshop, held from June 20-22, 2024, at the University of Ottawa, Kanata North. This 3-day event aimed to bridge the gap between industry and academia, fostering collaboration to explore advancements in autonomous systems.

Event Overview:

The CREATE TRAVERSAL Workshop was an extraordinary gathering of thought leaders and innovators from both academia and industry. The event kicked off on June 20 with keynote sessions, panel discussions, and an interactive poster session. Days 2 and 3 were dedicated to a hackathon, with a supplementary session focusing on Regulatory, Policy, and Acceptance Dimensions of autonomous technologies.

Highlights from the Event:

  • Keynote Sessions & Panel Discussions: Day 1 featured insightful keynote sessions and panel discussions where experts shared their knowledge on the latest advancements and challenges in autonomous systems. Donia Chaouch, along with other keynote speakers, discussed the critical aspects of integrating autonomous systems into various sectors and the importance of safety and reliability in these technologies.
  • Hackathon: The hackathon focused on enhancing object detection and image processing within driving environments, emphasizing identifying human behavior inside vehicles. Teams of 3-4 members used cutting-edge tools like Pytorch and Sklearn to compete across various phases, including image processing, dataset extraction, and object detection.
  • Regulatory, Policy, and Acceptance Dimensions: This session delved into the regulatory and policy frameworks necessary for the widespread acceptance and integration of autonomous systems, highlighting the collaborative efforts required between industry stakeholders and policymakers.

Keynote Speakers Included:

  • Sandra Schillo – University of Ottawa
  • Donia Chaouch – RoboSafety
  • Dana Borschewski – Aurrigo
  • Melike Enrol-Kantarci – University of Ottawa
  • Mohammad Abu-Shaaban – Canada Drone Operations
  • Peter R. Fillmore – University of Ottawa
  • Didem Cicek – University of Ottawa
  • Sean Farmer – University of Ottawa

Donia Chaouch’s Contribution:

In a recent panel discussion, Donia Chaouch, CTO of RoboSafety, addressed several key challenges and opportunities surrounding the development and deployment of autonomous technologies.

Chaouch highlighted that key challenges such as safety and scalability often conflict; rapid scaling can introduce safety risks, while stringent safety protocols may slow down scalability due to the need for thorough testing. Another significant challenge is technological stability; as companies aim to expand their operations, they frequently rely on outdated technologies, which hampers performance and scalability unless substantial investments are made in new technologies and infrastructure.

Over the next five to ten years, Chaouch foresees a significant increase in the adoption of autonomous systems across various sectors, driven by the dual benefits of operational efficiency and enhanced quality of life. For instance, in personal transportation and smart homes, technologies like intelligent thermostats can automate tasks such as adjusting temperature based on occupancy or time of day, promoting both comfort and energy efficiency.

However, widespread adoption faces hurdles, including regulatory and legal challenges due to the rapid pace of technological development that often outpaces existing frameworks, leading to a regulatory gray area that creates uncertainty around compliance and liability. Additionally, public skepticism remains a substantial barrier, evidenced by declining trust in autonomous vehicles, highlighting the need for building trust through reliability, transparency, and addressing psychological comfort with relinquishing control to autonomous systems.

Chaouch stressed the importance of integrating safety and risk management considerations from the beginning of the development process. Transparent safety assessments and government involvement in promoting clear, comprehensive regulatory frameworks play critical roles in ensuring public trust and safety.

Looking forward, Chaouch sees AI and machine learning as pivotal in advancing the capabilities of autonomous systems but also presents challenges such as the “black box” nature of deep learning decisions. Future research and innovation promise considerable advancements in areas like Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) and ethical AI, focusing on making autonomous systems more intuitive and ensuring they operate safely and ethically.

Collaborative efforts between academia and industry are essential to refine ethical guidelines and safety protocols, ensuring that autonomous technologies advance in a manner that is safe, ethical, and socially beneficial.

Looking Ahead:

RoboSafety is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and safety analysis in autonomous systems. We are proud of Donia Chaouch’s participation in the CREATE TRAVERSAL Workshop and look forward to continuing our efforts to enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous technologies.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from RoboSafety as we continue to lead the way in safety analysis and innovation.

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