The IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE), which was successfully held from August 26th to August 29th, can be described as an academic event that attracted experts and scholars from all over the world. The conference was divided into three main phases, each with its unique focus and activities.

First, August 28th was the preparatory phase, with more than half of the attendees completing their registration on this day. Also, six workshops and two tutorials were held that day, providing a rich platform for learning and networking.

Workshop on Machine Learning for Automation

Workshop on Machine Learning for Automation

The core agenda of CASE2023 was from August 26th to August 28th. During this period, Steven Roberts officially kicked off the conference with the Welcome Mihi Whakatau ceremony on August 27th. This was followed by the opening address by Prof. Dawn Freshwater. Four keynote speakers presented excellent presentations over the period of three days. It was a pleasure to be able to arrange these outstanding speakers early on, and their valuable insights certainly contributed to the success of the conference.

Left:Steven Roberts, Right: Prof. Dawn Freshwater

Left: Steven Roberts, Right: Prof. Dawn Freshwater

The keynote speakers, from left to right, are Prof. George Q. Huang, Prof. Dawn Tilbury, Prof. Barbara Hammer, and Prof. Mike Duke.

The keynote speakers, from left to right:  Prof. George Q. Huang, Prof. Dawn Tilbury, Prof. Barbara Hammer, and Prof. Mike Duke.

During the conference dinner on the 28th, Professor Xun Xu, the chair of CASE2023, addressed all attendees. Moreover, Prof. Peter B. Luh’s family graced the event, joining us in witnessing this academic milestone and savouring local delicacies.

CASE2023 General Chair: Professor Xun Xu

CASE2023 General Chair: Professor Xun Xu

Prof. Peter B. Luh's family

Prof. Peter B. Luh’s family

Furthermore, two Panel Discussions were organized, which provided a forum for participants to exchange ideas and solve problems. The multi-dimensional discussions not only challenged their thinking but also stimulated new ideas.

Industry Panel Discussion - 1

Industry Panel Discussion – 1

Industry Panel Discussion - 2

Industry Panel Discussion – 2

A major focus of the conference was also the sharing of academic papers. More than 600 authors presented their papers in person or online, and some papers with high academic value were also awarded prizes. A farewell ceremony was held on the 29th afternoon to conclude the conference.

Award Ceremony

Award Ceremony

Also, attendees had the opportunity to attend the Chelsea Sugar Factory Tour, Nautech Electronics Factory Visit and the Robotics and Automation Research Tour during the post-conference day on August 30.

Chelsea Sugar Factory Tours

Chelsea Sugar Factory Tours

Robotics and Automation Research Tour

Robotics and Automation Research Tour

As the Chair of the Organizing Committee for CASE2023, Dr. Yuqian Lu was responsible for the overall planning and execution of the conference. Beginning with the pre-event stage, Dr. Lu was closely involved in the registration process for attendees to ensure everything ran smoothly as planned. In terms of organization, he collaborated seamlessly with 22 volunteers from the University of Auckland. These volunteers included PhD students, faculty members, and visiting scholars from overseas. The experience was invaluable for many volunteers, as it marked their first time organizing an international conference.

Organizing Committee Chair: Dr. Yuqian Lu

Organizing Committee Chair: Dr. Yuqian Lu

CASE2023 Volunteers

CASE2023 Volunteers

To summarize, CASE2023 was undoubtedly a great success. We are very grateful to all the organizers and volunteers involved, as well as all the speakers who were there. It was very pleasing to see that everyone’s time and effort were so wonderfully rewarded.