Working Group 6 – Cross Working Group Topics

Working Group Leader

Juan C. Moreno

Working Groups in the COST Action are in charge of different kinds of coordinative research or work in the diverse areas that are important to the broad field of wearable robots. In order to guide a coordinated contribution of WGs to the specific objectives and outputs of the Cost Action, Working Group WG6 was established. Hence, WG6 is aimed at ensuring cohesion among WGs in the Cost Action, boosting intra- and inter-WG dialogue and setting measures for strengthening the network for the success of the project. We plan to assign responsible collaborators within each WG to act as contact points for communication to make sure the groups are aware of each others’ efforts and focus. We plan to promote and co-organize events with a cross-WG contribution, fostering integration of ELS aspects, application work, science and KETT WGs. This WG will also encourage and support inter-WG visits and presentations, and will contribute to ensuring all valuable results to be disseminated.

During the Porto meeting we introduced the main goals and foreseen actions to promote dialogue across the WGs. In particular, we identified potential contact points at each WG acting as rapporteurs to WG6 and other WGs of the COST Action. WG6 members participated in the WG1-WG4 parallel discussions to monitor and identify potential cross-WG efforts. Ideas to arrange co-organized events with cross-WG contribution have been detected and will be promoted/followed up by WG6 (e.g. user-oriented session as cross-WG activity). We further discussed potential web-based platforms for interaction and reporting cross-WG activities.

During the London meeting in July of 2017 the presentation of WG6 focused on few specific topics. First off, we reviewed the main objectives of this COST Action and related those objectives to the specific role of WG6. An obvious emphasis was placed on our role of boosting dialog across the WGs so that, although each WG maintains a clear focus during their work within the Action, an inter-WG cohesion will be ensured. By monitoring WG activities and maintaining an open dialogue, we will be more likely able to avoid duplication and/or clustering within/among WGs. Furthermore, we suggest that WG6 will take the lead in promoting cross-WG efforts throughout the Action. Discussion points regarding the goals of WG6 were presented (potential milestones and future deliverables), and suggestions included coordinating the accumulation of WR-relevant terms/vocabulary, developing a platform for reporting cross-WG activities, and defining how we intend to measure success/outcomes of WG6.