This semester, students from the Erasmus Mundus master Intelligent Field Robotic Systems (IFRoS) and Master in Intelligent Robotic Systems (MIRS) programs participated in a vibrant series of industrial and research-focused seminars. Spanning from March to May 2025, these sessions fostered a dynamic connection between academia, industry, and cutting-edge robotics research.

Throughout the semester, these back-to-back seminars created a platform for students to engage with real-world experts, explore the frontiers of robotics, and witness how academic research translates into industrial innovation.

The series not only enriched classroom learning but also forged stronger ties between university, research, and industry—empowering students with knowledge, inspiration, and a clearer vision for future careers and research directions.

Highlights from the Seminar Series

• Graph SLAM & Hands-on Localization

   Speaker: Pau Vial Serrat

An interactive session introducing practical methods in robotic localization and mapping, setting a strong foundation for the semester’s seminar series.
• AI Planning for Robotics
  Speaker: Gerard Canal – King’s College London
  Explored how artificial intelligence drives autonomous decision-making in robots, sparking engaging discussions on the future of intelligent systems.
• 3D Technology Made Easy
  Speaker: Dr. Carles Matabosch
  Delivered an accessible overview of industrial 3D vision, featuring Cognex solutions, laser triangulation techniques, and live demonstrations highlighting real-world applications.
• Sonar-Based Underwater Localization & Mapping
  Speaker: Angelos Mallios – Ploa Technology Consultants
  Investigated the role of sonar in mapping underwater environments, addressing challenges in subsea robotic navigation and perception.
• Accurate Underwater 3D Perception
  Speaker: Miguel Castillón
  Focused on enhancing 3D perception in underwater robotics—critical for inspection, exploration, and autonomous marine operations.
• Applications of Perception in Industrial Mobile Robotics
  Speaker: Enrique Fernandez – Staff Autonomy Engineering
  Discussed how autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) operate in GPS-denied environments using advanced perception systems, with emphasis on safety, logistics, and real-time autonomy.
• OPSIS Vision Technologies: From Research to Industry
  Speaker: Marc Masias
  Traced the journey of a successful University of Girona spin-off specializing in 2D and 3D machine vision, demonstrating how research innovations transition into commercial impact.

Initiatives like this seminar series reflect the core mission of the IFRoS and MIRS programmes: to train the next generation of robotics professionals through academic excellence, practical exposure, and close ties to industry.