Grupo de Robótica e Inteligência Artificial da Universidade dos Açores

GRIA is a group of researchers from the University of the Azores (UAc) and teachers from schools of Azores - Região Autónoma dos Açores (RAA), with the main goal to foster the learning and the application of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the RAA.

The research area of Artificial Intelligence has been increasingly more important in the context of technological development. GRIA has the target to test new applications of AI and Robotics in different areas, such as:

• Intelligent Robotics

• Using robotic systems to gather data from remote access places (e.g. using ROVs and other types of robots);

• Using multi robotics systems to perception and gather data (e.g. IOT + robotics + AI);

• Building and testing new robots in the context of educational environments (e.g. robots at competitions and at schools);

• Applied Artificial Intelligence tools to support systems decision in the context of:

• Distributed and multiagent systems;

• Multiagent system simulation

• Applied Artificial Intelligence tools for educational environments;

GRIA is a UAc’s group of LIACC – The Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Laboratory, hosted at the University of Porto.

LIACC is a R&D unit established in 1988, with headquarters at FEUP and a hub at FCUP but which includes researchers from several other higher education institutions such as P.Porto, UFP, IPVC, ISMAI and UAçores. It includes 25 integrated members and 40 collaborators with a PhD and 40 PhD students. LIACC achieved the grade of “Excellent” (with a maximum score of 5/5/5 in all evaluation items) on the last FCT’s assessment of R&D institutions.

The laboratory pursues research mainly on Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science with emphasis on Complex Systems, Machine Learning, Data Science, Autonomous Agents, Intelligent Simulation, Intelligent Robotics, Natural Language Processing, High-Performance Computing, Declarative Programming and Software Engineering. LIACC is also concerned with implementing proof-of-concept software and systems leading to prototypes and future real applications in these areas.

UAc is the only public university in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and was established in order to advance sustainable development and higher education in the Azores. It has campuses in Ponta Delgada (S. Miguel island), Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira island) and Horta (Faial island), numbers approximately 279 permanent teaching and researching staff, 200 administration and lab technician and 2.738 students, including undergraduate, MSc and PhD.