Panel Discussion
Expert of Robotics and AI: Nicholas Nadeau
Nicholas the former CTO of Halodi Robotics, where he led engineering initiatives and global expansion efforts make safe and capable humanoid robots accessible to everyone. As a professional engineer (P.Eng.) and a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), he brings significant expertise to the industry. In addition to his impressive background, Nicholas is also the co-founder of the AI Salon Montreal chapter, fostering discussions and innovation in artificial intelligence. He earned his Ph.D. from École de technologie supérieure, focusing on machine learning and collaborative robotics to enhance safety in robotic-assisted medical ultrasound, and has spent the last decade creating unique technologies across biomedical, food robotics, collaborative robotics, and additive manufacturing.
Expert of Robotics Startups: Colin Gallacher
Colin, co-founder and President of Haply Robotics, is dedicated to enhancing human-computer interaction through innovative haptic and robotics technologies. With a background in engineering, he has been crucial in developing theverse3 controller, a leading force-feedback device that connects the physical and digital realms. Under his leadership, Haply has gained recognition, including the CES Innovation Award 2025, and has made significant strides in industries like medical simulation, virtual reality, and the Metaverse.
Expert of Robotics in industry: Francois Giguere
Francois Giguere is a professional currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer at Vention, where he also holds the roles of VP Automation & Application R&D and Head of Automation. With a strong foundation in electrical engineering, Francois has previously worked as a Power Electronics Designer at Current, powered by GE, and contributed to research and development at GE Lighting, focusing on power conversion for Solid-State Lighting and embedded systems. He holds a Master's degree from Queen's University and a Bachelor's degree from McGill University. Notably, Francois participated in General Electric's Edison Engineering Development Program and conducted integrated circuit design research at McGill University.
Expert of Robotics in Medtech: Pedro Gregorio
Mr. Gregorio is a McGill University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Robotics. His impressive career spans over a decade at MDA, where he focused on robotics, satellite systems, and Geo-intelligence technologies. As a Specialist Engineer, he played a key role in developing automation and collaborative robotics, contributing to numerous significant missions, including ExoMars 2016 and the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. Now, he joins Innovobot, bringing his expertise in advanced manufacturing and robotics.
Expert of Robotics Academia: Glen Berseth
Glen Berseth is an Assistant Professor at the Université de Montréal, a core academic member of Mila – Quebec AI Institute, a Canada CIFAR AI Chair, and Co-Director of the Robotics and Embodied AI Lab (REAL). Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Berkeley AI Research (BAIR) with Sergey Levine. His research focuses on machine learning for real-world sequential decision-making, with applications in robotics, scientific discovery, and clean technology. He also teaches courses on data science and robot learning and co-founded a new conference dedicated to reinforcement learning research.
Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Community Partners
Featured startups
In this event we will cover
Panel discussion
We have invited panellists from different sectors of robotics: AI, Medtech, startups, industry, and academia.
This diverse representation will ensure a robust and engaging panel discussion, fostering insightful exchanges and innovative ideas.
Join us as we explore the future of robotics through the perspectives of these industry leaders.
Startups pitch presentaion
Join us for an exciting event where three innovative startups will pitch their projects to the local community This is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest developments in our local startup scene. Come support these entrepreneurs and discover the creative ideas shaping our future! Don't miss out on this chance to and network with fellow community members.
Networking and Showcasing
Join us for a vibrant networking session following the panel discussion! Attendees can savor delicious food and drinks while exploring booths from various companies, offering exciting demos and opportunities to connect. Don't miss the chance to engage with industry professionals and discover innovative solutions in a relaxed atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there!
