Awards

Since 1986, ISFA has promoted research activities in various areas of flexible automation by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, presentation of technological achievements, and discussion of future directions.

In 1998, ISFA established three awards – the Young Investigator Award and two Best Paper Awards (one for theory and one for application) for recognizing outstanding achievements by Symposium participants.

The Outstanding Investigator Award, was added at the 2000 Symposium, and was later renamed the Hideo Hanafusa Outstanding Investigator Award to honor Dr. Hideo Hanafusa, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the First Symposium of 1986 and the first winner of the Outstanding Investigator Award.

Details of Awards

Hideo Hanafusa Outstanding Investigator Award

One individual will be selected biennially from those who have made significant contribution(s) to the field of flexible automation. This award is open to all investigators working or having worked in the areas related to flexible automation. While we expect the awardee to be an active participant of the past symposia, this award is based not only on papers presented at the symposium but on contributions made elsewhere. Contributions may be technical or scientific publications, theses, patents, inventions, or combinations of the above in the field of automation.

Young Investigator Award

One individual will be selected biennially from the outstanding young contributors of automation who are 35 years old or younger at the time of awarding. This award is open to all young investigators working in the areas related to flexible automation including those listed in the Call for Papers. While we expect the awardee to be an active participant of the past symposia, this award is based not only on papers presented at the symposium but on contributions made elsewhere. Contributions may be technical or scientific publications, theses, patents, inventions, or combinations of the above in the field of automation.

Best Paper Awards (Theory/Application)

Two awards are selected for the two best papers appearing in the Proceedings and presented at the 2020 Symposium. One award emphasizes contribution to theory, and the other emphasizes significant or innovative applications/practice. The papers must be presented by the author or one of the co-authors. Criteria for selection include the quality of the written and oral presentation, the technical contribution, timeliness, and practicality.

Nomination and Selection Processes

Nominations for the Hideo Hanafusa Outstanding Investigator Award and the Young Investigator Award should be sent to Professor Tohru Watanabe, Chair of the Advisory Committee, by March 1, 2020. The email address of Professor Watanabe is watanabefv@gmail.com.

Each nomination package should include a completed nomination form, not more than five supporting letters, and any reference materials submitted to support the qualifications of nominees. The nominee’s involvement in the Symposium must be documented. See the nomination form for further details.

•  Nomination Form for Hideo Hanafusa Outstanding Investigator Award
•  Nomination Form for Young Investigator Award

For any questions, please contact the Chair of the Advisory Committee, Professor Watanabe.

The program committee will nominate papers for the Best Paper Awards.

Presentation of Awards

The four awards will be presented either at the Symposium banquet or at the closing ceremony.