Description

The inaugural IEEE Robotics Day 2025 was held on April 22, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Prof. Rupert Pieris Auditorium, University of Moratuwa. Organized by the IEEE Student Branch in collaboration with the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Student Branch Chapter of the University of Moratuwa , the event brought together academia and industry to celebrate innovation and the evolving landscape of robotics. The event welcomed over 300 attendees , including undergraduates, academic staff, industry professionals, IEEE members, and robotics enthusiasts. Phase 01: Exhibition Segment Commencing at 3:00 PM, the exhibition segment featured student teams who presented their nationally & internationally recognized robotic projects, live demonstrations, and discussions. This interactive session gave attendees a firsthand look at peer-led innovation and set the stage for the evening’s technical program. Phase 02: Ceremony & the Keynotes At 5:00 PM, the formal proceedings began with commentators Senaya Bandara and Thusith Wijewardena, who set the tone for the evening. The opening address was delivered by Mr. Sanjula Gathsara, Chairman of the IEEE Student Branch of the University of Moratuwa , followed by a welcome speech from Professor Buddhika Jayasekara, Counselor of the Student Branch. Next, in recognition of the innovation and dedication of the exhibitors, letters of appreciation were awarded to the exhibitor teams. Keynote Session 01 Mr. Deepana Ishtaweera (Co-founder, RoboticGen) shared insights from his academic journey at ETH Zurich and his experience in launching a robotics startup. His session concluded with a live demonstration of “Obo Dog,” a quadruped robot developed by RoboticGen. Keynote Session 02 Mr. Ashen Fernando (Senior Electronics Engineer, Zone24x7) delivered a presentation on embedded systems and real-time automation, followed by a live demonstration of a robotic system developed by his team at Zone24x7. He was later joined by Mr. Sandaruwan Madushanka and Mr. Venkateshan Murugesu, who added valuable perspectives on intelligent electronics. Panel Discussion Moderated by Mr. Bhanuka Liyanage, the panel comprised Prof. Buddhika Jayasekara, Mr. Ishtaweera, and Mr. Fernando. The discussion addressed trends in robotics, ethical considerations, and the importance of collaboration between industry and academia. After the valuable sessions, plaques were presented to the keynote speakers by Prof. Buddhika Jayasekara. Additional thanks were extended to RoboticGen and Zone24x7 for their generous support. Mr. Pankaja Balasooriya, a Co-chair of the event, delivered the Vote of Thanks , and the event concluded with a group photograph. IEEE Robotics Day 2025 successfully fostered collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and inspiration in the field of robotics. The organizing committee extended sincere gratitude to all participants and partners and looked forward to future editions of the event.