The RAS of work and play [Presiden''s Message]

Asuccessful and well-attended International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) has just ended in Kobe, and I am writing this column in mid-May during my return flight from Japan. The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he is always doing both. The above quote, known as "The Zen of Work and Play," synthesizes the collegial spirit, animating many of the volunteers serving our society. The recent ICRA has been inspired by this credo: a solid and sound technical program, a rich and lively social program. Beyond the hard work of the organizing team led by Kazuhiro Kosuge (general chair) and Katsushi Ikeuchi (program chair), a warm touch of color was provided by the double performance of the Robotics and Automation Society Officers Rock (RASOR) at both the banquet and farewell party: an audience of more than 1,000 for a group at their second gig on stage!