Computer Science Colloquium: Fundamental Challenges in Robotics and Embodied AI

   Ever wondered how robots can sense, act, and even “think” in the real world?

The Institute of Advanced Studies is honored to welcome Professor Steven LaValle, Professor of Robotics and Virtual Reality at the University of Oulu, Finland, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA, as part of the IAS Distinguished Scholars series.

The field of robotics is wildly exciting and rapidly gaining worldwide attention, yet it is often an enigma in terms of its scope and scientific foundations. Throughout the decades, it has been variously viewed as an application field of more mature disciplines such as computer science (AI, algorithms, machine learning) and mechanical engineering (kinematics, dynamics, nonlinear control).

In this Computer Science Colloquium lecture, Professor Steven LaValle will argue that robotics has its own unique and growing scientific core, with deep questions and modeling challenges that should inspire new directions in computer science, engineering, and mathematics. He will begin with a Turing-inspired perspective on robotics and embodied AI, presenting results that characterize the minimally sufficient amounts of sensing, actuation, and computation required to solve physical tasks. Interspersed throughout the lecture will be insights from his three decades of research, produced with many inspiring students, mentors, and collaborators.

   Sunday, 2 November 2025, 11:00

Where: Room 420, Check Point Building

The lecture will be conducted in English and is open to the public.