2011년 7월10일 한국전자통신연구원 책임연구원/공학박사 조영조
지난 달 24일 미합중국 오바마 대통령은 카네기멜론 대학(CMU)을 방문한 자리에서 5억 달러를 투자하는 첨단 제조업 동반관계(AMP: Advanced Manufacturing Partnership) 프로그램의 착수를 선포하였다. AMP 프로그램은 미국이 길고 긴 경기침체를 벗어나 세계 일등국가의 국격을 유지하고 미국인들에게 양질의 고용을 보장해 주기 위해서는 첨단 제조업 육성 발전이 매우 중요하다는 인식에서 출발한 것으로 그 중심에 인간친화 로봇이 있다.
오바마 대통령은 “오늘 저는 미국 제조업 르네상스의 불씨를 당기고 세계 제조업 경쟁에서 필요로 하는 최첨단 도구들의 개발에 도움을 주기 위해서 산업계와 대학 및 정부의 협력을 촉구합니다.”라며 AMP 프로그램의 중요성을 역설하였다. 이 프로그램에서 특히 눈길을 끄는 대목은 ‘국가 로봇공학 계획(NRI: National Robotics Initiative)’의 설립으로서, 공장 노동자 보조자, 건강관리 서비스 제공자, 군인, 외과의사, 우주 작업자 등 인간과 긴밀하게 일하는 차세대 로봇의 연구 개발에 집중 투자할 것을 공언한 것이다.
NRI에는 과학재단(NSF), 항공우주국(NASA), 국립보건원(NIH), 농무부(USDA)가 포함되어 있으며, 새로운 로봇연구 프로젝트에 연 7천만 달러의 자금이 투입될 예정이라 한다. NRI의 기획에 참여했던 조지아공대의 헨릭 크리스텐슨 교수에 따르면, 정밀 반복 작업에 맞도록 설계된 과거의 로봇에 비해 인간과 함께 일하는 로봇은 훨씬 더 스마트하고 안전해야 하므로 센서와 구동장치 제어 등 첨단 기술을 요구하게 된다고 한다.
지난 부시대통령 집권 시절 우리나라와 일본이 인간친화 로봇을 차세대 성장동력으로 삼고 경쟁적으로 연구개발을 진행 중인 것을 보고 미국 로봇분야의 한 대학교수는 미국이 국방 무인시스템에만 매달려 있던 현실을 개탄했던 기억이 난다. 오바마 정부로 들어서면서 2009년 5월 미국과학재단은 인간친화 로봇으로 가고 있는 세계 로봇시장에서 자칫 일본, 한국, 유럽에 주도권을 내어줄 수 있다는 위기의식을 갖고 국가 로봇기술 로드맵을 발표하며 이 분야의 투자 확대를 강조한 바 있었다. 이러한 노력이 이번 NRI 수립의 모태가 되어 이제 미국도 인간친화형 서비스로봇 개발 경쟁에 대대적으로 합류하게 된 것이다.
유럽의 경우에도 2007년부터 로보틱스 및 인식시스템의 연구개발에 집중 투자하기 시작하였고, ‘시민을 위한 로봇 동반자’ 프로젝트가 연간 5천만 유로의 자금이 투여될 새로운 연구프로그램의 유력한 후보로 부각되고 있다. 지금까지 잠잠하던 중국도 올해 로봇분야 최대의 국제학술회의인 ICRA2011을 개최하며 막대한 시장수요를 배경으로 첨단 인간친화 로봇의 연구 개발과 상업화에 뛰어들고 있는 형국이다.
이렇듯 세계 각국은 미래 산업의 중추 역할을 할 인간친화형 서비스로봇 산업에서 주도권을 확보하기 위해 첨단 로봇의 연구 개발에 투자를 아끼지 않고 있다. 특히, 이번 미국의 로봇 연구개발 계획이 산․학․연․관 협력 프로그램의 일환으로 이루어졌다는 점은 우리에게 시사하는 바가 크다. 대학에서는 기초원천, 국책연구소에서는 핵심원천, 산업체에서는 제품화, 정부에서는 정책 연구 등 각자의 역할분담을 전제로 상호 협력을 도모한다는 것이다.
우리나라의 경우 미래 신성장 로봇산업을 위한 연구개발 투자는 비교적 많으나, 산․학․연․관 연계 체계는 미흡하게 진행되는 것 같아 다소 아쉬운 생각이 든다. 로봇산업 육성정책의 책임을 지고 있는 정부는 단기적 실적 위주의 상용화 연구개발에 치중하여 원천기술 개발에는 여력이 없는 듯하다. 아무쪼록, 로봇 관련 정부부처의 유기적 협력 관계와 산․학․연의 역할 분담이 잘 이루어져 로봇 분야에서 국가경쟁력을 갖추게 되기를 기원해 본다.
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your
articles? I mean, what you say is important and all. Nevertheless imagine if you added
some great visuals or videos to give your posts more,
“pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this site could certainly be
one of the very best in its field. Excellent blog!
Awesome article.
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am truly impressed to read everthing at alone place.
I think this is one of the most vital information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really great :
D. Good job, cheers
It’s impressive that you are getting ideas from this post as
well as from our argument made at this time.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement
account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we communicate?
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message
home a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog.
A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it ;
) I’m going to come back once again since I book-marked it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it
up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come
back down the road. All the best
Thanks for finally writing about > [과학칼럼] 오바마의 산업혁신
해법은 인간친화 로봇 – Robotcraft < Loved it!
wonderful put up, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists
of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing.
I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
I just like the helpful info you supply on your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and test again here frequently.
I am moderately certain I will be told plenty of new stuff proper right here!
Good luck for the following!
you’re really a just right webmaster. The web site loading pace is incredible.
It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a wonderful process on this
subject!
whoah this blog is great i like studying your
articles. Keep up the great work! You understand, many
persons are looking round for this information, you could aid them greatly.
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I
was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the image
of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it.
Thus that’s why this piece of writing is amazing. Thanks!
Hello there, I found your website by way of Google even as searching for a comparable matter,
your website came up, it seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply become aware of your weblog through Google, and located that it’s truly informative.
I’m going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate if you proceed this in future.
Numerous people can be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out.
Please let me know where you got your theme. With thanks
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be
delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly
a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
Right now it seems like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform available
right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you
are using on your blog?
You should be a part of a contest for one of the greatest websites on the internet.
I most certainly will highly recommend this website!
Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog
shine. Please let me know where you got your theme.
Cheers
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have
any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem
to get there! Cheers
Hey would you mind stating which blog platform
you’re using? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a
tough time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs
and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Many thanks!
Exactly where are your contact details though?
Keep on working, great job!
Hi there, I wish for to subscribe for this web site to get
hottest updates, therefore where can i do it please assist.
Hi! Quick question that’s entirely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this problem.
If you have any recommendations, please share. Appreciate it!
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website?
The account helped me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vivid clear idea
I absolutely love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking
to create my own personal site and would like
to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is called.
Kudos!
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that
you should write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people do not discuss such
subjects. To the next! Many thanks!!
Wonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
I got this web page from my friend who told me concerning this web page and at the moment this time I am browsing this web page and reading very informative
posts here.
I am curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing?
I’m experiencing some small security problems with
my latest website and I would like to find
something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?