IEEE Robotics & Automation Society
Southeast Michigan Chapter Meeting
MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2006 1:00 PM LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

MEETING CALLED BY Robert Sealy, Chair of IEEE R&A SEM
TYPE OF MEETING General Meeting
FACILITATOR Robert Sealy
NOTE TAKER Robert Sealy and Douglas Czinder
TIMEKEEPER NA
ATTENDEES Robert Sealy, Jenny Chen, Dr. Douglas C. MacKenzie, Dr. C J Chung, Douglas Czinder

Agenda topics
 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Robert welcomed the group to the kickoff of the new IEEE R&A Southeast Michigan Chapter.  Robert
introduced the members of the Executive Committee and thanked Dr. C J Chung for hosting the meeting.

CONCLUSIONS Executive Committee:  Robert Sealy, Chair; Dr. Douglas MacKenzie, Vice-Chair; Jenny Chen, Vice-Chair; Steven D. Purvis, Secretary; Douglas Czinder, Secretary; C J Chung, Treasurer.

 FANUC TOUR PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Group discussed the level of interest in touring various robotics sites.  Conflict of interest and non-
disclosure issues discussed; no issues with those in attendance.

CONCLUSIONS Tour scheduled for Thursday, March 9th at 6:00pm.  Future tour of Self Guided Systems is in the works.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Coordinate with Fanuc. Robert Sealy
Set up tour with Self Guided Systems 
 
 MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Question posed to group regarding submission of member contact information. 

CONCLUSIONS

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Please submit contact information to Robert ASAP. Members affected.
 

 DAVINCI SYSTEM PRESENTATION
DISCUSSION daVinci System Presentation at IEEE-SEM Spring Section Meeting

CONCLUSIONS Spring meeting date noted (April 13, 2006); daVinci presentation will take place.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
 
 

 CHAPTER’S FIRST PROJECT PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION The “Walking Wheelchair” Concept was presented; members queried as to interest level; much interest
displayed by group; various concepts discussed; funding possibilities; usefulness to disabled individuals.

CONCLUSIONS Chapter will proceed with “Walking Wheelchair” project.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Brainstorming session to take place.   
“Netmeeting” to be scheduled to handle this session. Robert Sealy
 IGVC COMPETITION PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Are regional teams active? Which schools? Mentoring possibilities. Location.

CONCLUSIONS Doug C. will provide Robert with contact information for the U. Michigan – Dearborn team; Chapter
wishes to participate where possible. Further discussion to take place.  Competition will be at Selfridge Air Base.
ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Contact Info. Doug C.
 
 ROBOFEST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY, C J CHUNG
DISCUSSION Dr. C J Chung is hosting Robofest at Lawrence Technological University; asked for volunteers; general
Robofest information presented

CONCLUSIONS Mentoring, judging possibilities noted.  Volunteers noted by C J Chung.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
 
 
 JOB BANK  PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Possibilities of hosting region robotics “Job Bank” on our soon-to-be website; usefulness for local talent
and industries. 

CONCLUSIONS Decided that Job Bank would be very useful; noted for future development.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Future development. TBD TBD
 
 WEBMASTER / WEB SITE PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Any members capable and / or willing to host our chapter website?  Douglas M. and Jon showed
interest; logistics discussed; resource needs; work and time involved.

CONCLUSIONS Jon and Douglas M. both graciously offered to host; concluded that Jon would both host and maintain the
Chapter website.  Website URL chosen: www.semrobotics.org; need to check availability of URL.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Prepare for hosting. Jon
Check for availability of URL. 
 “J.D. POWER OF ROBOTICS” PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Objective; capital required for testing; time periods and resources for testing; liability; feasibility; surveys;
non-disclosure.

CONCLUSIONS Capital requirements, non-disclosure, and testing all seem to be prohibitive.  The option of performing
and publishing surveys was accepted as feasible.  Goal is to become ‘The’ source of robotics info for business leaders.
ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
For future development. 
 
 MENTORSHIP & OUTREACH PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION High School visits and talks; what do you do on your job; how did you get to where you are;
CAD & Robot kit development; Elementary level robotics, using products such as Lego Mindstorms.

CONCLUSIONS Chapter wishes to develop Mentorship and Outreach programs.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
For future development. 
 
 MEETING SCHEDULE PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Dates; locations; times; preferred day to schedule future tours; invitations to local
universities; meeting for members only?

CONCLUSIONS Robert will send out revised schedule.  Thursday as our preferred day to schedule future tours.
Anyone interested in robotics may attend meetings (need not be member of IEEE or IEEE R&R).
ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Email schedule. Robert
 
 NEWSLETTER & CHAPTER PROMO MATERIALS PRESENTER: ROBERT SEALY
DISCUSSION Development, writing, and publishing of Chapter newsletter; call for member volunteers; Chapter promo
materials.

CONCLUSIONS Volunteers noted.

ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Develop newsletter. 
 

OBSERVERS
RESOURCE PERSONS
SPECIAL NOTES Special Thank You to Dr. C J Chung for setting up the room and hosting the meeting.