SMART Lab Hosts TechTalk Ahead of ICRA 2025 Satellite Conference

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The Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technology (SMART) Lab at UKZN’s Mechanical Engineering Department recently hosted a TechTalk, laying the groundwork for its role as a satellite venue for the prestigious 2025 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA).

ICRA is the largest robotics conference in the world, drawing experts, researchers and students from across the globe. Held in Atlanta, USA in May 2025, the conference covered cutting-edge topics such as robotics, mechatronics, artificial intelligence, human-robot collaboration, autonomous mobility of legged, aerial and racing robots, robotics manipulation, medical robotics and the intersection of robotics with art.

One of the key initiatives championed by Professor Riaan Stopforth, Chair of IEEE South Africa’s Joint Robotics and Automation (RA) / Control Systems (CS) Chapters, was to increase accessibility by making parts of the conference available online. Recognising that conference costs can be prohibitive for students, academics and other interested individuals, his initiative helped local students gain exposure to world-class robotics research.

Having served on several ICRA committees, Stopforth explained that sharing presentations online did not diminish the value of the conference. Rather, it broadened its reach to include researchers and students from low- and middle-income countries who might otherwise be excluded.

‘The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how education and industry engagement occur worldwide,’ said Stopforth.

‘Top universities have embraced online and hybrid models that integrate industry video presentations into curricula, allowing students to witness real-world applications of their learning. This innovative approach has inspired hopes that UKZN and other South African institutions will similarly benefit and remain competitive globally.’

For 2025, the SMART Lab hosted one of two satellite conference venues within South Africa, the other being at the Central University of Technology (CUT). Worldwide, there were 35 such satellite venues, enabling wider participation across geographic and economic boundaries.

Ms Erin Zietsman, South Africa’s IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Student Activities Representative, played a vital role in disseminating information about this opportunity to universities across the country, ensuring that some 200 participants in South Africa benefitted from this inclusive approach.

The three-day conference enabled local attendees to engage with cutting-edge global research despite time zone differences.

The TechTalk hosted at the SMART Lab also featured participation from professional societies including the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS), the Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC), and the Robotics Association of South Africa.

Zietsman gave an informative talk on the benefits of IEEE student membership, highlighting academic and professional advantages. Meanwhile, Pepper the Robot presented an engaging video on the perks of SAIMC membership.

A highlight was the presentation by RS South Africa. Mr Wesley Hood outlined exciting plans for 2025, including workshops, competitions and educational outreach activities designed to deepen student engagement with robotics. RS also hosted an interactive display where students could connect with team members and explore engineering project components and support systems.

Zietsman and fellow UKZN student Ms Whitney Mtolo spoke about their work in mechatronics engineering and shared insights into their ongoing research during interviews conducted by RS South Africa.

‘We are thrilled to have had such a successful event and we look forward to sharing more exciting updates soon,’ said Stopforth.

Words: Sally Frost

Photograph: Supplied