IET to host Dr Hiroshi Ishiguro and Rob Van Kranenburg at their Engtalk focused on ‘Engineering a Digital Future’

Bengaluru: The IET is hosting Intelligent Robotics expert, dubbed as the man who copied himself, Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro, and IoT influencer Rob Van Kranenburg, at their EngTalk focused on ‘Engineering a Digital Future’.The talk will explore technologies perceived in the past to be science fiction which are now part of our everyday lives. The IET is hosting the talk at 2PM on 17th July 2021 in celebration of its 150th anniversary. 

Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro is the Director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University, and Rob van Kranenburg, is among the top 15 IoT influencers to follow in 2021. The talk will focus on some of the newest developments and ways of thinking that are putting digital technologies at the centre of the human experience. These include creating and controlling avatars in a virtual world, technology as an equaliser, responsible AI for social empowerment, bringing about a hyper-digital and contactless world, and how new technologies are changing the entertainment industry. 

Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro is renowned in the robotics world for his forward-thinking projects. He is best known for making an android, Geminoid, which can perform human-like movements such as breathing, blinking, and fidgeting with the hand. He uses it to have meetings and gives his talks in conferences. Dr Hiroshi said, “It gives me great pleasure to be part of the IET’s 150 years celebrations and speak at the EngTalk on Engineering a digital future. I am passionate about intelligent robotics and will share my experiences and research on interactive robotics and android science, at this event. Together we will explore what a future will look like, in which robots would be indistinguishable from humans.”

Rob van Kranenburg works in the Forward Strategy Team at Next Generation Internet Policy Lab — an organisation that aims to develop an alternative, citizen-led model for the internet. He is the Founder of IoT Council and the proponent of World IoT Day and has been featured as a top IoT influencer in reputed global lists. About the talk Rob said “I am delighted to be part of the IET@150 EngTalk South Asia. My speech will focus on human digital rights and safeguarding them to build a fairer, safer and connected future for coming generations. I will discuss about urban cold spots and disposable identities as ways to preserve our cherished freedom of expression, privacy, autonomy, and civic assembly.”

IET will also release a movie that celebrates Indian engineering at this special event. Speaking about the movie, Shekhar Sanyal, Country Head and Director, IET India said, “India has a rich history, a great current and a brighter future in engineering. As part of the IET@150 celebrations, we are creating a movie that celebrates Indian engineering in all its glory. Featuring our Honorary Fellows in India, experience sharing from India’s engineering giants who power global ambitions and start-ups that are disrupting business models as we knew it, the movie reiterates the role that India will play in fulfilling the ever-increasing demand for global talent.”

Over 1,000 tech experts have already registered for the event in which the IET’s youngest president Danielle George MBE, Nigel Fine, Chief Executive of the IET and Dr Gopichand Katragadda, Vice President of the Board of Trustees, The IET will also be present for audience interactions.