News & Press Releases: April to June 2007
News and information from April to June 2007.
"Robot Thought a big hit at Techniquest@NEWI"
Researchers from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, wowed the crowds during the recent half-term events held at TECHNIQUEST@NEWI in Wrexham. Five researchers took along demonstrations of their latest research and interacted with family groups of all ages over four separate days. These 'Meet the Scientist' events were held in conjunction with TQ@NEWI's performances of the 'Robot Thought' show, and added significant value to the visitor's experience.
"One man and his bot a great success at the Royal Bath and West Show"
One man and his bot was a great success at the Royal Bath and West Show. Show organisers estimate over 150,000 visitors to the site over the week of the show. UWE roboticists Matt Studley, Peter Jaeckel and James Edwards attended for 4 days talking to members of the public and giving them the chance to drive a robot 'sheepdog' to see how many robot sheep they could herd into a pen within a short time.
"Congratulations to Emily..."
Congratulations to Emily Dawson, who will be working with Dr Clare Wilkinson and network member Dr Karen Bultitude, as the researcher on the ESRC project titled 'Talking Robots'. The project will critically examine strategies for public engagement with robotics technologies utilizing a series of quantitative and qualitative methods. It aims to explore public and expert attitudes to both robotics and engagement within novel areas of science, technology and engineering. This project will look in detail at the responses to some of the Walking with Robots events.
"Welcome to the University of Reading"
A warm welcome to Kevin Warwick and his team at the University of Reading. Kevin is currently involved in a number of exciting projects including Androids Advance - a humanoid robot tournament, similar to the Robo-One events held in Japan and North America, where contestants' robots compete in multi-disciplinary events. The challenge involves sixteen teams from schools in London and the Southeast of England and culminates in a live tournament day to be held at and in association with the Science Museum in London on 4th July 2007.
"Talking Robots"
Dr Clare Wilkinson and network member, Karen Bultitude of the Science Communication Unit, UWE have been successful in their application for an ESRC small grant for a project titled 'Talking Robots'. The project will critically examine strategies for public engagement with robotics technologies utilizing a series of quantitative and qualitative methods. It aims to explore public and expert attitudes to both robotics and engagement within novel areas of science, technology and engineering. This project will look in detail at the responses to some of the Walking with Robots events.
"Robot Ethics at the Dana Centre"
The Robot Ethics event at the Dana Centre on Tuesday April 24th was a huge success. Tickets for the event sold out and panellists Tony Hirst, Owen Holland, Kathleen Richardson, Murray Shanahan and Alan Winfield, chaired by Noel Sharkey, engaged in an extremely lively and thought provoking public debate. A press briefing organised by the Science Media Centre the previous day generated an unexpected and extraordinary response from the press and media, resulting in national radio and TV interviews and significant print and online media coverage.
"The Robot Garden"
Dr Claire Rocks and Mr Mark Harmsworth, the assistant learning manager for Design and technology at Rhosnesni High School, have been successful in their joint application for a Royal Society Partnership Grant. Over the next few months pupils at the school will design and build a robotic garden for display at Enginuity Design and Technology Centre in Telford over the summer.
"One Man and his Bot"
UWE Robotics Lecturer, Dr Matt Studley has led a successful bid for EPSRC funding to develop a new interactive robotics event; "One Man and his Bot". The team also includes Alan Winfield and Karen Bultitude. Matt explains "Although we've been taking a swarm robotics demo to science festivals for some years now, we noticed that the schoolkids were confused about what a robot really is. Perhaps from TV's 'Robot Wars' they have the impression that robots are remote controlled vehicles. We realised we needed to change this!" The grant from the EPSRC PPE Scheme will support building a flock of robot sheep which will autonomously flock together. Members of the public will have the chance to drive a 'sheepdog' to see how many sheep they can herd into a pen within a short time. "We hope this event will demonstrate that robotics can be fun, that there's a big difference between a robot and a remote controlled vehicle, and let us explain how biological examples are used by roboticists to inspire their work."