CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-gb"> <head>  <script src="https://cmp.osano.com/AzyzptTmRlqVd2LRf/8791dff8-ed7c-4b7d-b2af-60a2e351b614/osano.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cookie-consent.ieee.org/ieee-cookie-banner.css" type="text/css"/>  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <base href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/about-ras" /> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="keywords" content="IEEE, robotics, automation, society" /> <meta name="description" content="Focus is on both applied and theoretical issues in robotics and automation. Robotics is here defined to include intelligent machines and systems; whereas automation includes the use of automated methods in various applications to improve performance and productivity. The society sponsors a number of conferences, including the annual International Conference on Robotics and Automation." /> <title>About RAS - IEEE Robotics and Automation Society</title> <link href="http://www.ieee-ras.org/about-ras" rel="canonical" /> <link href="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/favicon.ico" rel="shortcut icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link href="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/css/template.css.php" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <script src="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/js/jui/jquery.min.js?d8f494727edac85324fc9c75303ae6ca" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/media/jui/js/jquery-noconflict.js?d8f494727edac85324fc9c75303ae6ca" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/js/jui/jquery-migrate.min.js?d8f494727edac85324fc9c75303ae6ca" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/js/jui/bootstrap.min.js?d8f494727edac85324fc9c75303ae6ca" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function($){ initTooltips(); $("body").on("subform-row-add", initTooltips); function initTooltips (event, container) { container = container || document;$(container).find(".hasTooltip").tooltip({"html": true,"container": "body"});} }); </script> <meta property="og:title" content="About RAS - IEEE Robotics and Automation Society" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.ieee-ras.org/about-ras" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.ieee-ras.org/images/files/template/ieee-ras-logo.png" /> <div class="custom" > </div>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-330H9FPKB3"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-330H9FPKB3', {'dimension1': 'anonymous', 'dimension2': '', 'dimension3': '', 'dimension4': 'About RAS', 'dimension5': ''}); jQuery(document).ready(function($) { 'use strict' $.noConflict(); $(".jcepopup").each( function() { $(this).on('click', function() { gtag('config', 'G-330H9FPKB3', {'dimension1': 'anonymous', 'dimension2': '', 'dimension3': '', 'dimension4': 'About RAS', 'dimension5': '', 'page_title': document.title, 'page_location': 'https://www.ieee-ras.org/about-ras'}); }); }); $("a").each(function() { if($(this).attr("href")) { if( $(this).attr("href").match(/images\/files/) ) { $(this).on('click', function() { gtag('config', 'G-330H9FPKB3', {'dimension1': 'anonymous', 'dimension2': '', 'dimension3': '', 'dimension4': 'About RAS', 'dimension5': '', 'page_title': document.title, 'page_location': $(this).attr("href")}); }); } } }); }); </script>  <style id="acj">body{display:none !important;}</style> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self === top) { var acj = document.getElementById("acj"); acj.parentNode.removeChild(acj); } else { top.location = self.location; } </script> </head> <body class="site about-ras ">  <a id="top"></a> <div class="nav meta-nav hidden-print"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-4 col-sm-push-8 meta"> <div> <div id="sign_in"> <div class="signinlink"> <a href="https://www.ieee.org/membership/join/index.html">Join IEEE</a> <span style="padding:0 5px">|</span> <a href="/?morequest=sso"><span class="signinicon"></span>Sign In</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> <div class="col-sm-8 col-sm-pull-4 meta"> <ul class="list-inline"> <li> <a href="http://www.ieee.org" title="IEEE.org">IEEE.org</a> </li> <li class="hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org" title="IEEE Xplore Digital Library">IEEE <em>Xplore</em> Digital Library</a> </li> <li class="hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <a href="http://standards.ieee.org" title="IEEE Standards">IEEE Standards</a> </li> <li class="hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org" title="IEEE Spectrum">IEEE Spectrum</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.ieee.org/sitemap" title="More IEEE Sites" class="hidden-xs hidden-sm">More Sites</a> <div class="dropdown visible-xs visible-sm"> <a data-toggle="dropdown" href="#" data-target="#" id="moresites" role="button" class="moresites" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">More Sites<span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu" role="menu" aria-labelledby="moresites"> <li> <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org" title="IEEE Xplore Digital Library">IEEE <em>Xplore</em> Digital Library</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://standards.ieee.org" title="IEEE Standards">IEEE Standards</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org" title="IEEE Spectrum">IEEE Spectrum</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.ieee.org/sitemap" title="More IEEE Sites">More Sites</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-header"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3 col-md-push-9"> <a href="http://www.ieee.org" title="IEEE.org" class="pull-right hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <img src="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/images/ieee-mb-bk.png" alt="IEEE"> </a> </div> <div class="col-md-9 col-md-pull-3 site-title"> <a href="/" title="IEEE Robotics and Automation Society" class="pull-left"> <span class="visible-print-block"> IEEE Robotics and Automation Society </span> <img src="/images/files/template/ieee-ras-logo.png" alt="IEEE Robotics and Automation Society" class="img-responsive hidden-print"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="search-social hidden-print"> <div class="container"> <div class="row search-and-social"> <div class="col-md-3 search"> <div> <form id="mod-finder-searchform" action="/component/finder/search" method="get" class="form-search"> <div class="input-group"> <label for="searchbox" class="sr-only">Search IEEE RAS</label> <input type="text" class="form-control" maxlength="100" name="q" id="searchbox" value="" placeholder="Search IEEE RAS" /> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button class="btn btn-primary" type="submit">Search</button> </span> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-9 social"> <div class="pull-right"> <div class="custom-join-ras" > <a href="/about-ras/ras-calendar"><img src="/images/files/template/calendaricon.png" alt="calendaricon" width="34" height="34" /></a>   <a class="btn btn-alt" href="http://resourcecenter.ieee-ras.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Resource Center</a> <a class="btn btn-alt" href="/roboticshistory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Robotics History</a> <a class="btn btn-alt" href="https://www.ieee.org/membership-catalog/productdetail/showProductDetailPage.html?product=MEMRA024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Join IEEE RAS</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <nav class="navbar navbar-default" role="navigation"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="navbar-header"> <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#menu-primary"> <span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> </button> </div> <div class="navbar-collapse collapse" id="menu-primary"> <ul class="nav navbar-nav menu"> <li class="item-101 child"><a href="/" ><span>Home</span></a></li><li class="item-126 active deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras" ><span>About RAS</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1562 deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras/diversity-page" ><span>Commitment to Diversity </span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1567 parent"><a href="/about-ras/diversity-page/ieee-ras-cares" ><span>IEEE RAS CARES </span></a></li><li class="item-1568 child"><a href="/about-ras/diversity-page/ieee-ras-code-of-conduct" ><span> IEEE RAS Code of Conduct </span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-150 deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance" ><span>Governance</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-182 child"><a href="/about-ras/governance/executive-committee" ><span>Executive Committee</span></a></li><li class="item-186 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/administrative-committee" ><span>Administrative Committee</span></a></li><li class="item-267 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/conference-activities-board" ><span>Conference Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1455 child"><a href="/about-ras/governance/education-activities-board" ><span>Educational Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-285 child"><a href="/about-ras/governance/financial-activities-board" ><span>Financial Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-286 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/industrial-activities-board" ><span>Industrial Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-310 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/media-services-board" ><span>Media Services Board</span></a></li><li class="item-296 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/member-activities-board" ><span>Member Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-300 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/publication-activities-board" ><span>Publication Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-309 child"><a href="/about-ras/governance/technical-activities-board" ><span>Technical Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-311 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/ad-hoc-committees" ><span>Ad Hoc Committees</span></a></li><li class="item-313 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance/standing-committees" ><span>Standing Committees</span></a></li><li class="item-318 child"><a href="/about-ras/governance/ieee-council-representatives" ><span>IEEE Council Representatives</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-291 deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras/volunteer-resources" ><span>Volunteer Resources</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1548 parent"><a href="/about-ras/volunteer-resources/volunteer-reimbursement-procedures" ><span>Volunteer Reimbursement Procedures</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-151 deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras/history-of-the-society" ><span>History of the Society</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1265 child"><a href="/about-ras/history-of-the-society/past-officers" ><span>Past Officers</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-147 deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras/latest-news" ><span>Latest News</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-148 child"><a href="/about-ras/latest-news/e-news" ><span>E-News</span></a></li><li class="item-375 child"><a href="/about-ras/latest-news/archival-newsletters" ><span>Archival Newsletters</span></a></li><li class="item-1474 child"><a href="https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=919bcf3c550747268697c704c1d1bf2b" ><span>Submit News</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-361 deeper parent"><a href="/about-ras/ras-calendar" ><span>RAS Calendar</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-383 child"><a href="/about-ras/ras-calendar/upcoming-ras-events" ><span>List View of Upcoming RAS Events</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-376 child"><a href="/about-ras/contact-ras" ><span>Contact RAS</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-140 deeper parent"><a href="/membership" ><span>Membership</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-788 deeper parent"><a href="/membership/member-communities" ><span>Member Communities</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-789 child"><a href="/membership/member-communities/membership-grades" ><span>Membership Grades</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-169 child"><a href="/membership/member-statistics" ><span>Member Statistics</span></a></li><li class="item-1811 deeper parent"><a href="/membership/dei-committee" ><span>DEI Committee</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1812 child"><a href="/membership/dei-committee/about-the-dei-committee" ><span>About the DEI committee</span></a></li><li class="item-1813 child"><a href="/membership/dei-committee/dei-committee-governance" ><span>DEI Committee Governance</span></a></li><li class="item-1827 child"><a href="/membership/dei-committee/support-program-to-foster-academic-relationships-and-exchange" ><span>Support Program to foster Academic Relationships and eXchange</span></a></li><li class="item-1828 child"><a href="/membership/dei-committee/idea-travel-support" ><span>IDEA Travel Support</span></a></li><li class="item-1829 child"><a href="/membership/dei-committee/idea-winners" ><span>IDEA winners</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1469 child"><a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/chapters" ><span>Chapters</span></a></li><li class="item-168 child"><a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/students" ><span>Students</span></a></li><li class="item-1437 child"><a href="/membership/life-member-committee" ><span> Life Member Committee</span></a></li><li class="item-165 child"><a href="/membership/young-professionals" ><span>Young Professionals</span></a></li><li class="item-1446 child"><a href="/women-in-engineering" ><span>Women in Engineering</span></a></li><li class="item-1719 child"><a href="/membership/member-support-program" ><span>Member Support Program</span></a></li><li class="item-174 deeper parent"><a href="/membership/distinguished-lecturer-program" ><span>Distinguished Lecturer Program</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1319 child"><a href="/membership/distinguished-lecturer-program/distinguished-lecturers-by-name" ><span>Distinguished Lecturers by Name</span></a></li><li class="item-1283 child"><a href="/membership/distinguished-lecturer-program/distinguished-lecturers" ><span>Distinguished Lecturers by TC</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1641 child"><a href="/membership/support-program-to-foster-academic-relationships-and-exchange" ><span>Support Program to foster Academic Relationships and eXchange</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-141 deeper parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops" ><span>Conferences & Workshops</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1452 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/upcoming-conferences" ><span>Upcoming Conferences</span></a></li><li class="item-567 deeper parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/fully-sponsored" ><span>Fully Sponsored Conferences</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-580 parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/fully-sponsored/case" ><span>CASE</span></a></li><li class="item-572 parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/fully-sponsored/icra" ><span>ICRA</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-568 deeper parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/financially-co-sponsored" ><span>Financially Co-sponsored Conferences</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-588 parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/financially-co-sponsored/iros" ><span>IROS</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-569 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/technically-co-sponsored" ><span>Technically Co-sponsored Conferences</span></a></li><li class="item-626 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/fully-sponsored/icra" ><span>ICRA</span></a></li><li class="item-627 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/financially-co-sponsored/iros" ><span>IROS</span></a></li><li class="item-633 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/fully-sponsored/case" ><span>CASE</span></a></li><li class="item-745 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/young-reviewers-program" ><span>Young Reviewers Program</span></a></li><li class="item-635 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-policies" ><span>Conference Policies</span></a></li><li class="item-571 deeper parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/resources-for-conference-organizers" ><span>Resources for Conference Organizers</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-621 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/resources-for-conference-organizers/requesting-ras-sponsorship" ><span>Requesting RAS Sponsorship</span></a></li><li class="item-1564 parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/resources-for-conference-organizers/icra-proposal-guidelines" ><span>ICRA Proposal Guidelines</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1054 deeper parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/resources-for-workshop-organizers" ><span>Resources for Workshop and Tutorial Organizers</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1055 child"><a href="http://www.ieee-ras.org/conferences-workshops/resources-for-workshop-organizers#guidelines" ><span>Guidelines for Workshop and Tutorial Organizers</span></a></li><li class="item-1059 child"><a href="http://www.ieee-ras.org/conferences-workshops/resources-for-workshop-organizers#workshop" ><span>Workshop and Tutorial Submission</span></a></li><li class="item-1056 child"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BwUuOTzRaam6S2UtbFN4cjRFdVE&usp=sharing" target="_blank" ><span>LaTeX Template</span></a></li><li class="item-1058 child"><a href="http://www.ieee-ras.org/about-ras/governance/conference-activities-board/workshop-oversight-committee" ><span>Conference Workshop Oversight Committee</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-628 deeper parent"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-activities-board" ><span>Conference Activities Board </span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-629 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-activities-board/conference-finance-committee-cab-f" ><span>Conference Finance Committee (CAB-F)</span></a></li><li class="item-630 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-activities-board/conference-publications-committee-cab-p" ><span>Conference Publications Committee (CAB-P)</span></a></li><li class="item-631 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-activities-board/conference-technical-programs-committee-cab-t" ><span>Conference Technical Programs Committee (CAB-T)</span></a></li><li class="item-632 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-activities-board/conference-operations-committee-cab-o" ><span>Conference Operations Committee (CAB-O) </span></a></li><li class="item-1252 child"><a href="/conferences-workshops/conference-activities-board/competitions-committee" ><span>Competitions Committee</span></a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li class="item-142 deeper parent"><a href="/publications" ><span>Publications</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-272 child"><a href="/publications/subscription-information" ><span>Subscription Information</span></a></li><li class="item-1720 child"><a href="/publications/video-submission-guidelines" ><span>Video Submission Guidelines</span></a></li><li class="item-662 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l" ><span>RA-L</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-664 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/faq" ><span>FAQ</span></a></li><li class="item-677 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/information-for-authors-ra-l" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-683 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/submission-procedures" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-836 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/special-issues" ><span>Special Issues</span></a></li><li class="item-682 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/keywords" ><span>Keywords</span></a></li><li class="item-693 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/final-submission-checklist" ><span>Final Submission Checklist</span></a></li><li class="item-678 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/ra-l-information-for-reviewers" ><span>Information for Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-680 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/information-for-associate-editors" ><span>Information for Associate Editors</span></a></li><li class="item-681 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/information-for-editors" ><span>Information for Editors</span></a></li><li class="item-1050 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/information-for-ra-l-option-conference-organizers" ><span>Information for Conference Organizers</span></a></li><li class="item-665 parent"><a href="/publications/ra-l/ra-letters-editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li><li class="item-666 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/ra-letters-steering-committee" ><span>Steering Committee</span></a></li><li class="item-1417 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/ra-l-paper-awards" ><span>RA-L Paper Awards</span></a></li><li class="item-1572 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/ra-l-distinguished-service-awards" ><span>RA-L Distinguished Service</span></a></li><li class="item-1744 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/list-of-reviewers" ><span>List of Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-1835 child"><a href="/publications/ra-l/former-senior-editors" ><span>Former Senior Editors</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-167 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/ram" ><span>RA Magazine</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-171 parent"><a href="/publications/ram/information-for-authors-ram" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-327 child"><a href="/publications/ram/ram-submission-procedures-ra-magazine" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-1556 child"><a href="/publications/ram/tutorials" ><span>Tutorials</span></a></li><li class="item-172 parent"><a href="/publications/ram/special-issues" ><span>Special Issues</span></a></li><li class="item-288 child"><a href="/publications/ram/ram-information-for-reviewers" ><span>Information for Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-290 child"><a href="/publications/ram/advertising" ><span>Advertising</span></a></li><li class="item-170 child"><a href="/publications/ram/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-187 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/t-ase" ><span>T-ASE</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-274 child"><a href="/publications/t-ase/information-for-authors-t-ase" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-329 child"><a href="http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/t-ase" target="_blank" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-275 parent"><a href="/publications/t-ase/special-issues-t-ase" ><span>Special Issues</span></a></li><li class="item-289 child"><a href="/publications/t-ase/information-for-reviewers" ><span>Information for Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-216 child"><a href="/publications/t-ase/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1191 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/toh" ><span>ToH</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1192 child"><a href="/publications/toh/information-for-authors-toh" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-1194 child"><a href="/publications/toh/submission-procedures-toh" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-1685 child"><a href="/publications/toh/special-issues" ><span>Special Issues</span></a></li><li class="item-1196 child"><a href="/publications/toh/keywords" ><span>Keywords</span></a></li><li class="item-1198 child"><a href="/publications/toh/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1199 child"><a href="/publications/toh/management-committee" ><span>Management Committee</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1292 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/t-mrb" ><span>T-MRB</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1368 child"><a href="/publications/t-mrb/information-for-authors" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-1369 child"><a href="/publications/t-mrb/information-for-reviewers" ><span>Information for Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-1291 child"><a href="/publications/t-mrb/steering-committee" ><span>Steering Committee</span></a></li><li class="item-1362 child"><a href="/publications/t-mrb/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-217 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/t-ro" ><span>T-RO</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-257 parent"><a href="/publications/t-ro/information-for-authors" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-258 parent"><a href="/publications/t-ro/submission-procedures" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-260 parent"><a href="/publications/t-ro/special-issues" ><span>Special Collections</span></a></li><li class="item-259 child"><a href="/publications/t-ro/information-for-reviewers" ><span>Information for Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-521 child"><a href="/publications/t-ro/list-of-reviewers" ><span>List of Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-287 child"><a href="/publications/t-ro/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1361 child"><a href="/publications/t-ro/information-for-associate-editors" ><span>Information for Associate Editors</span></a></li><li class="item-1730 child"><a href="/publications/t-ro/information-for-editors" ><span>Information for Editors</span></a></li><li class="item-1716 child"><a href="/publications/t-ro/t-ro-list-of-conference-papers" ><span>T-RO Papers Presented at Conferences</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1749 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/t-fr" ><span>T-FR</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1757 child"><a href="/publications/t-fr/information-for-authors" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-1758 child"><a href="/publications/t-fr/submission-procedures" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-1759 child"><a href="/publications/t-fr/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1792 child"><a href="/publications/t-fr/special-issues/cfp-ieee-transactions-on-field-robotics-special-issue-on-space-robotics" ><span>Special Issue on Space Robotics</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1760 deeper parent"><a href="/publications/ra-p" ><span>RA-P</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1816 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/information-for-authors" ><span>Information for Authors</span></a></li><li class="item-1817 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/submission-procedures" ><span>Submission Procedures</span></a></li><li class="item-1831 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/information-for-reviewers" ><span>Information for Reviewers</span></a></li><li class="item-1833 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/information-for-editors" ><span>Information for Editors</span></a></li><li class="item-1818 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/keywords" ><span>Keywords</span></a></li><li class="item-1819 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/special-collections" ><span>Special Collections</span></a></li><li class="item-1821 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/editorial-board" ><span>Editorial Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1822 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/advisory-board" ><span>Advisory Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1820 child"><a href="/publications/ra-p/background-information" ><span>Background Information</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1708 child"><a href="/publications/how-to-make-a-good-robot-video" ><span>Tips for Making a Good Robot Video</span></a></li><li class="item-1432 child"><a href="/publications/ieee-author-center" ><span>IEEE Author Center</span></a></li><li class="item-297 child"><a href="/publications/plagarism-and-ethical-issues" ><span>Plagiarism & Ethical Issues</span></a></li><li class="item-744 child"><a href="/publications/young-reviewers-program" ><span>Young Reviewers Program</span></a></li><li class="item-1769 child"><a href="/publications/guidelines-for-generative-ai-usage" ><span>Guidelines for Generative AI Usage</span></a></li><li class="item-1834 child"><a href="/publications/rules-for-the-double-anonymous-review-process" ><span>Rules for the double-anonymous review process</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-143 deeper parent"><a href="/technical-committees" ><span>Technical Committees</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1745 child"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-activities-board" ><span>Technical Activities Board</span></a></li><li class="item-1727 child"><a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/technical-committees" ><span>Technical Committees</span></a></li><li class="item-1721 child"><a href="/technical-committees/how-to-join-an-ras-technical-committee" ><span>How to Join an IEEE RAS Technical Committee</span></a></li><li class="item-1718 deeper parent"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-committee-clusters" ><span>Technical Committee Clusters</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1751 child"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-committee-clusters/automation-cluster-forum" ><span>Automation Cluster Forum</span></a></li><li class="item-1752 child"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-committee-clusters/robotics-foundation-cluster-forum" ><span>Robotics Foundation Cluster Forum</span></a></li><li class="item-1753 child"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-committee-clusters/human-centered-and-life-like-robotics-cluster-forum" ><span>Human-Centered and Life-like Robotics Cluster Forum</span></a></li><li class="item-1754 child"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-committee-clusters/robots-for-unstructured-environments-cluster-forum" ><span>Robots for Unstructured Environments Cluster Forum</span></a></li><li class="item-1755 child"><a href="/technical-committees/technical-committee-clusters/healthcare-and-medical-robotics-cluster-forum" ><span>Healthcare and Medical Robotics Cluster Forum</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1762 child"><a href="/technical-committees/tabxsac" ><span>TABxSAC</span></a></li><li class="item-1729 child"><a href="/technical-committees/tab-news" ><span>TAB News</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-144 deeper parent"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach" ><span>Education, Outreach and Career</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-179 deeper parent"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/technical-education-programs" ><span>Technical Education Programs</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1300 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/technical-education-programs/hosting-guidelines" ><span>TEP Hosting Guidelines</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-177 child"><a href="http://ieee-ras.org/roboticshistory/" target="_blank" ><span>Robotics History Project</span></a></li><li class="item-1794 deeper parent"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/robotics-and-automation-learning-institute-rali" ><span>Robotics and Automation Learning Institute (RALI)</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1799 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/robotics-and-automation-learning-institute-rali/rali-team-members" ><span>RALI Team Members</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-180 deeper parent"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/pre-college-resources" ><span>Pre-College Resources</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1359 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/pre-college-resources/ieee-spectrum-robots" ><span>IEEE Spectrum Robots</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-173 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/webinars-and-videos" ><span>Webinars, Videos, & Podcasts</span></a></li><li class="item-176 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/competitions" ><span>Competitions</span></a></li><li class="item-482 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/careers-jobs" ><span>Careers/Jobs</span></a></li><li class="item-522 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/ra-experts" ><span>RA Experts</span></a></li><li class="item-1151 child"><a href="/educational-resources-outreach/educational-material-in-robotics-and-automation" ><span>Educational Material in Robotics and Automation</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-145 deeper parent"><a href="/awards-recognition" ><span>Awards & Recognition</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-159 child"><a href="/awards-recognition/society-awards" ><span>Society Awards</span></a></li><li class="item-160 child"><a href="/awards-recognition/publications-awards" ><span>Publications Awards</span></a></li><li class="item-161 child"><a href="/awards-recognition/conference-awards" ><span>Conference Awards</span></a></li><li class="item-162 child"><a href="/awards-recognition/ieee-awards" ><span>IEEE Awards</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-146 deeper parent"><a href="/industry-government" ><span>Industry & Government</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-156 deeper parent"><a href="/industry-government/standards" ><span>Standards</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1542 child"><a href="/industry-government/standards/existing-projects" ><span>Approved Standards</span></a></li><li class="item-1531 parent"><a href="/industry-government/standards/active-projects" ><span>Active Projects</span></a></li><li class="item-1327 parent"><a href="/industry-government/standards/standards-strategy-meeting" ><span>International Robotics Standards Coordination Effort</span></a></li><li class="item-1795 parent"><a href="/industry-government/standards/students-participating-in-ieee-robotic-standardization-efforts-spirse" ><span>Students Participating in IEEE Robotic Standardization Efforts (SPIRSE)</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-157 deeper parent"><a href="/industry-government/ifr-forum" ><span>Industry Experience</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1668 child"><a href="/industry-government/ifr-forum/industry-subcommittees" ><span>Industry Support</span></a></li><li class="item-1667 child"><a href="/industry-government/ifr-forum/ieee-ifr-iera-forum" ><span>IEEE/IFR IERA Forum</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1747 deeper parent"><a href="/industry-government/entrepreneur-education" ><span>Entrepreneur Education</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1677 child"><a href="/industry-government/entrepreneur-education/startup-industry-ecosystem-support" ><span>Startup Support </span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-158 deeper parent"><a href="/industry-government/roadmaps" ><span>Industry Data & Roadmaps</span></a><ul class="nav-child"><li class="item-1675 child"><a href="/industry-government/roadmaps/iab-robotics-industry-report" ><span>IAB Robotics Industry Report</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item-1738 child"><a href="/industry-government/iab-news" ><span>IAB News</span></a></li><li class="item-1748 child"><a href="/industry-government/join-iab" ><span>Join IAB</span></a></li></ul></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <div class="page-content"> <div class="container"> <div id="content" class="row"> <div class="custom section-banner" > <p><br /><img class="img-responsive" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/images/banners/banner-about.jpg" alt="banner-about" width="981" height="215" /></p> <h3>About RAS</h3></div> <ul class="breadcrumb"> <li class="active"><span class="divider icon-location"></span></li><li><a href="/" class="pathway">Home</a><span class="divider"></span></li><li class="active"><span>About RAS</span></li></ul> <article id="content-column-2" class="col-md-9 col-md-push-3"> <div itemprop="articleBody"> <h1>About RAS</h1> <p>The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society's objectives are scientific, literary and educational in character. The Society strives for the advancement of the theory and practice of robotics and automation engineering and science and of the allied arts and sciences, and for the maintenance of high professional standards among its members, all in consonance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the IEEE and with special attention to such aims within the Field of Interest of the Society.<br /><br />Our <strong>Mission</strong> is to foster the development and facilitate the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge in Robotics and Automation that benefits members, the profession and humanity.</p> <p>Our <strong>Vision</strong> is to be the most recognized and respected global organization in Robotics and Automation. </p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/images/RAS_ExCom_2018_1.jpg" alt="RAS ExCom 2018 1" /><strong>IEEE Robotics & Automation Society: Executive Committee (2018-2019)</strong></p> <p>RAS strives to advance innovation, education, and fundamental and applied research in robotics and automation. Robotics focuses on systems incorporating sensors and actuators that operate autonomously or semi-autonomously in cooperation with humans. Robotics research emphasizes intelligence and adaptability to cope with unstructured environments. Automation research emphasizes efficiency, productivity, quality, and reliability, focusing on systems that operate autonomously, often in structured environments over extended periods, and on the explicit structuring of such environments.</p> <p>The Society provides aid in promoting close cooperation and exchange of technical information among its Members and Affiliates, and to this end holds meetings for the presentation of papers and their discussion, sponsors appropriate periodicals and special technical publications, and through its committees studies and provides for the needs of its members and affiliates.</p> <div class="clearfix"></div></article> <div id="content-column-1" class="col-md-3 col-md-pull-9"> <hr class="visible-sm-block visible-xs-block" /> <ul class="nav navbar-nav menu"> <li id="secondary-nav" class="menu-title visible-sm visible-xs">About RAS</li><li class="item-1562 parent"><a href="/about-ras/diversity-page" ><span>Commitment to Diversity </span></a></li><li class="item-150 parent"><a href="/about-ras/governance" ><span>Governance</span></a></li><li class="item-291 parent"><a href="/about-ras/volunteer-resources" ><span>Volunteer Resources</span></a></li><li class="item-151 parent"><a href="/about-ras/history-of-the-society" ><span>History of the Society</span></a></li><li class="item-147 parent"><a href="/about-ras/latest-news" ><span>Latest News</span></a></li><li class="item-361 parent"><a href="/about-ras/ras-calendar" ><span>RAS Calendar</span></a></li><li class="item-376 child"><a href="/about-ras/contact-ras" ><span>Contact RAS</span></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bottom-promo"> <div class="container"> <div class="custom crossout" > <h2><span>Easy Links</span></h2></div> <div class="moduletable"> <div class=" easy-links"><div itemprop="articleBody"> <div class="box"> <div class="title">Students <div class="title-content"> <p>Students are future of robotics and automation.</p> <p><a class="purple-arrow" href="/students">Learn more</a></p> </div> </div> <a href="/students"><img src="/images/easy-links/easyLink-students.jpg" alt="easyLink-students" width="153" height="174" /></a></div> <div class="box"> <div class="title">CASE 2025 <div class="title-content"> <p>IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering</p> <p><a href="https://2025.ieeecase.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></p> </div> </div> <a href="https://2025.ieeecase.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="width: 153px; height: 175px;" src="/images/conferences/CASE/2025/CASE_HP.png" alt="CASE 2025 logo" width="153" height="175" data-mce-width="153" data-mce-height="175" /></a></div> <div class="box"> <div class="title">IROS 2025 <div class="title-content"> <p>IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems</p> <p><a href="http://www.iros25.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></p> </div> </div> <a href="http://www.iros25.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="width: 154px; height: 179px;" src="/images/easy-links/IROS_HP.png" alt="IROS 2025" width="153" height="175" data-mce-width="154" data-mce-height="179" /></a></div> <div class="box"> <div class="title">ICRA@40 <div class="title-content"> <p>Special 40th anniversary celebration of RAS and ICRA</p> <p><a href="https://icra40.ieee.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more</a></p> </div> </div> <a href="https://icra40.ieee.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/images/conferences/ICRA/ICRA40/ICRA40_CFC_422x480.png" alt="ICRA40 Call for Contribution" width="153" height="174" /></a></div> <div class="box"> <div class="title">ICRA 2025<br /> <div class="title-content"> <p>IEEE International conference on Robotics and Automation</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://ieee-icra.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more</a></p> </div> </div> <a href="http://ieee-icra.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="width: 155px; height: 176px;" src="/images/conferences/ICRA/2025/Quick_Access_ICRA_2025.png" alt="ICRA 2025 logo" width="1550" height="1760" data-mce-width="155" data-mce-height="176" /></a> </div> <div class="box"> <div class="title">Volunteer Resources<br /> <div class="title-content"> <p> </p> <p><a href="/about-ras/volunteer-resources" target="_blank">Learn more</a></p> </div> </div> <p><a href="/about-ras/volunteer-resources" target="_blank"><img src="/images/easy-links/easyLink-SRC.jpg" alt="easyLink-SRC" width="153" height="174" /></a></p> </div></div> <div class="clearfix"></div></div> </div> </div> </div>  <footer class="hidden-print"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <hr class="footer-separator"> </div> </div> <div class="custom" > <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <ul class="list-inline"> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/sitemap">Sitemap</a></li> <li><a href="/about-ras/contact-ras">Contact IEEE RAS</a></li> <li><a href="https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=3c945415ebe3497685660d584922019b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Feedback</a></li> <li><a title="Accessibility" href="http://www.ieee.org/accessibility_statement.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a title="Nondiscrimination Policy" href="http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p9-26.html">Nondiscrimination Policy</a></li> <li><a title="IEEE Ethics Reporting" href="https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/20410/index.html">IEEE Ethics Reporting</a></li> <li><a title="IEEE Privacy Policy" href="http://www.ieee.org/security_privacy.html">IEEE Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a title="Terms" href="https://www.ieee.org/about/help/site-terms-conditions.html">Terms</a></li> </ul> <p>© Copyright 2025 IEEE - All rights reserved. A public charity, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.</p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="footer-social pull-right"> <div class="moduletable-ras-ieeetv"> <div class="custom-ras-ieeetv" > <a title="RAS on IEEE.tv" href="http://ieeetv.ieee.org/channels/ras"><img src="/images/files/template/ras-ieeetv.png" alt="ras ieeetv" /></a></div> </div> <div class="moduletable-ras-calendar"> <div class="custom-ras-calendar" > <a href="/about-ras/ras-calendar"><img src="/images/files/template/calendaricon.png" alt="calendaricon" width="34" height="34" /></a></div> </div> <div class="moduletable"> <a href="https://ieee-collabratec.ieee.org/app/community/1364/IEEE-Robotics-and-Automation-Society/activities" onClick="javascript:gtag('event', 'View', {'event_category': 'Social Media', 'event_label': 'Collabratec'});"><img src="https://www.ieee-ras.org/modules/mod_ieeesocialmedia/icons/collabratec.png" width="34" height="34" alt="Collabratec" title="Collabratec" class="socialicon" /></a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/IEEE-Robotics-Automation-Society-RAS/158313264304982" onClick="javascript:gtag('event', 'View', {'event_category': 'Social Media', 'event_label': 'Facebook'});"><img src="https://www.ieee-ras.org/modules/mod_ieeesocialmedia/icons/facebook.png" width="34" height="34" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook" class="socialicon" /></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ieee_ras_official/" onClick="javascript:gtag('event', 'View', {'event_category': 'Social Media', 'event_label': 'Instagram'});"><img src="https://www.ieee-ras.org/modules/mod_ieeesocialmedia/icons/instagram.png" width="34" height="34" alt="Google+" title="Google+" class="socialicon" /></a> <a href="http://twitter.com/ieeeras" onClick="javascript:gtag('event', 'View', {'event_category': 'Social Media', 'event_label': 'Twitter'});"><img src="https://www.ieee-ras.org/modules/mod_ieeesocialmedia/icons/twitter.png" width="34" height="34" alt="Twitter" title="Twitter" class="socialicon" /></a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/9467266" onClick="javascript:gtag('event', 'View', {'event_category': 'Social Media', 'event_label': 'LinkedIn'});"><img src="https://www.ieee-ras.org/modules/mod_ieeesocialmedia/icons/linkedin.png" width="34" height="34" alt="LinkedIn" title="LinkedIn" class="socialicon" /></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvmXaE8AFihVzN9rN5de0Dw/videos" onClick="javascript:gtag('event', 'View', {'event_category': 'Social Media', 'event_label': 'YouTube'});"><img src="https://www.ieee-ras.org/modules/mod_ieeesocialmedia/icons/youtube.png" width="34" height="34" alt="YouTube" title="YouTube" class="socialicon" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix"> </div> <a class="pull-right" title="IEEE.org" href="http://www.ieee.org"> <img src="/templates/ieeesitetemplate/images/ieee-mb-wh.png" alt="IEEE" /> </a></div> </div></div> </div> </footer> <div class="custom" > </div> <div class="custom" > </div> </body> </html>