The Singapore International Robo Expo (SIRE) 2018 will return on 1-2 November to the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The 3rd edition of SIRE will focus on next generation robotics in both its conference as well as exhibition showcase, addressing the entire value chain – from technology research and development to test bedding, to final commercialisation and go to market.

“The strong growth in the Asia Pacific region has reinforced SIRE as a key platform for the robotics and automation sector to respond to rising demand,” said Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events. “Set against the dynamic backdrop of fast-paced innovation and technology changes, our theme this year spotlights ‘Riding Opportunities in Exponential Change’. SIRE provides a strategic gateway for industry leaders, government officials, research and academia to exchange insights, participate in solutions-based discourse, forge partnerships and explore business opportunities.”

SIRE 2018 offers a holistic and integrated programme for all the stakeholders in the robotics community -from thought leadership insights for decision makers to investment opportunities for venture capitalists and companies, from the latest innovative solutions for industry buyers to expert huddle sessions open to all trade visitors.

A key showcase will be the series of seven transformative robotic solutions developed by Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) with support from the National Robotics Research & Development Programme Office (NR2PO). These solutions, together with the commercial launches to be announced at SIRE 2018, underpin the full value chain approach of the National Robotics Programme, which not only nurtures the development of advanced robotics technology but also sees it through to test-bedding and finally to licensing and commercialization.

These robots work on the principle of intelligent and automated reconfiguration by replicating the human elements of adaptability and reactivity. They are able reconfigure or reshape themselves to adapt to the environment or overcome obstacles in order to effectively carry out their tasks, overcoming limitations that hinder earlier generations of robots. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the engineering teams who developed these robots to fully understand the purpose of these new technologies and how they can be applied in practical solutions.

“Robotics can be a Singapore success story and we are well on our way to reaching that goal,” said Mr Terence Teo, President, Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA). “We have the talent base to create it, the capital and investor interest to fund it, the infrastructure to support its development, the economic diversity to apply its solutions and the network to grow it regionally.

“SIRE brings all these together as we work closely with NR2PO, the driving force behind the nationwide industry transformation maps (ITM) for robotics in Singapore. SIRE is the ideal platform for companies keen on commercialising the robotics solutions developed by local R&D institutes, as there is a huge market potential for these robots to be deployed locally and across the region.”

Kicking off the conference programme will be the opening keynote from the Executive Advisor for Robotics at Toyota Motors, Mr Masanori Sugiyama, who will present the company’s vision on partner robots, robots that are expected to be utilized as partners to coexist with people for various social needs.

A special session will feature for the first time ever the sharing by multiple government agencies of their pain points and challenges faced in the deployment of robotics in various public sectors. This session will give industry players a first-hand view of the important public sector-led demand for robotics solutions.

The conference will also look at the business model of resource sharing and collaboration and how it would apply to the robotics industry with its own unique characteristics and challenges. For healthcare, one of the most key sectors for robotics, SIRE will explore its integration with artificial intelligence and internet-of-things to bring robotics in healthcare to a whole new level of sophistication.

The conference will also cover other key areas of robotics such as the exciting arena of start-ups and venture capital, the highly relevant supply chain and logistics sector that drives Singapore’s status as a transhipment hub, and the power of women in robotics.

SIRE 2018 is inspired by Industry 4.0 evolution, deep-diving into “Autonomous Robotics” technologies. SIRE is the only dedicated robotics-centric platform in Singapore and in ASEAN. This year, SIRE will once again host government and private sector leaders as well as research and academia representatives. The objective is to share, address economic & social challenges, co-create solutions and forge partnerships. SIRE’s mission is to promote industry growth, spearhead adoption as well as elevate Singapore’s status as a leading robotics hub.