Streetwise Robots

Robot butlers, care assistants, vacuum cleaners... Robots which may have once seemed far-fetched in a sci-fi book are now close to reality.

The 21st century will see robots develop an increasing ability to adapt to the world around them. But how will we interact with tomorrow’s robots? Do we want robots to look, sound and move like us? Would it be helpful if robots could recognise our emotions and respond accordingly? If you’re feeling down, maybe your new robot butler could bring you a cup of tea – you wouldn’t even need to ask!

Join us for a night of robot interaction and chat. How are designers changing the way we’ll communicate with robots in the future? Explore some of the ideas behind the design process and consider what characteristics you would want for your own future robot.

Meet experts from Nottingham Trent University and Edinburgh College of Art as they demonstrate Snake, a human-size robot that wants to dance with you. But will you dance with Snake?

Shake hands with Shadow Robot’s Dextrous Robot Hand, a hand capable of 24 movements and which is regarded as the most advanced robot hand in the world. How will robots of the future interact with the world directly?

Mick Wallis wants to discuss the design process itself. Find out how dance and the performing arts can inspire robot design. How could you as future robot consumer play your part?

Meet the Merlin Robotics team and their Merlin Avatar, a computer simulation capable of recognising facial expressions and speech. Will this make future robots more human and is this something we actually want?

Mario Gongora will be demonstrating the HaRT Animatron, a robot able to see and respond to your movements. How could this technology be used in the future?

Come along to take part and discover for yourselves the future of robot design. We want to hear your ideas...

This event follows the ‘More is More 2’ conference at the Dana Centre, where leading practitioners and researchers will be discussing the potential of the arts and design in robotics research.

Event organised by:
The Science Museum in consultation with Alec Robertson

Speakers

Jamie Billing, Nottingham Trent University
Philip Breedon, Nottingham Trent University
Tracy Cordingley, Nottingham Trent University
Sophia Lycouris, Edinburgh College of Art
Rich Walker, Shadow Robot Company
Mick Wallis, University of Leeds
Mark Norman, Merlin Robotics
Mario Gongora, De Montfort University

Facilitator: Noel Sharkey, University of Sheffield

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