On October 4, a Head of the Laboratory of intelligent robotic systems (LIRS) of the Higher Institute of Information Technologies and Intelligent Systems (ITIS) professor Evgeni Magid participated as a speaker at the event dedicated to the technological competition on the creation a new generation of search and rescue technologies from the “Sistema” Charitable Foundation (SCF). Within the competition a public program is held in major cities of Russia for a month: there are open lectures by experts about the Russian search and rescue technologies market and about how the latest developments can solve social problems.

The Odyssey competition, created by the joint-stock financial corporation “Sistema”, is the first research project in Russia aimed at finding technological solutions to overcome social problems. The project consists of a series of technology competitions. The first topic is search and rescue technologies of the new generation. The project is supported by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation.

The all-Russian technology project “Odyssey” will bring together specialists from different professional fields: engineers, developers, entrepreneurs, students and all those who are not indifferent to the problem. They will look together for technological solutions that will respond to social challenges.

Search and rescue technologies and methods of searching for the missing persons that already exist in Russia were discussed at the event. At the beginning of the meeting expert Dmitry Tomchuk gave a brief overview of the “Odyssey” competition. Later as an invited speaker professor Evgeni Magid spoke about the development of search and rescue robotics in Russia and abroad. At the end of the event Albert Efimov, who is also an expert of the competition, presented information about the robotics market in Russia, touching upon the main problems, successful developments and market potential. Participants of the event asked questions and discussed their ideas with experts in the "open mike" format.

Let us note that this event was preceded by friendly visits of experts to the LIRS.

As part of the preparation for the competition on the creation a new generation of search and rescue technologies from the SCF, LIRS was visited by the “Odyssey” competition expert, an Executive Director of the “Peri” Charitable Foundation Dmitry Tomchuk, a Head of events at the SCF Vlad Pyatak, and a project manager of the Foundation Liliya khairutdinova. Moreover, a Head of the Sberbank Robotics Laboratory Albert Efimov visited LIRS the same day. Earlier Albert Efimov had managed the SKOLKOVO Robotics center for many years.

During the visit, the projects on intelligent navigation of mobile robots and swarm robotics were presented, which are being worked on by employees and students of the laboratory, were presented. The guests highly appreciated the laboratory's contribution to the rapidly developing science of robotics. The availability of modern equipment of foreign and Russian production was emphasized separately.

Albert Efimov: "Today was a very interesting day - a visit to professor Magid’s Laboratory of intelligent robotic systems was useful for me. Bright and talented young people and an inspired scientist - this is a harmonious combination to create a great scientific foundation. I suggested a number of areas for collaboration. I hope, my proposals will find support at Kazan Federal University».