Robots unveiled at National Robotarium family open day
Remote-controlled-robot paintings, soft robotics and a crash-course in laser precision were just some of the fun activities on show at Robotics Unveiled, the first children and families event held at the National Robotarium.
In collaboration with Heriot-Watt University’s Engage programme, researchers and roboticists were on-hand to welcome over 120 visitors to the facility for fun day of robotic demonstrations, hands-on activities – which also included a robot design lab, electric jigsaw, and brain-controlled robotics drones – and tours of the Human-Robot Interaction and Robotics and Autonomous Systems labs.
The sell-out event, which took place on Friday 12 April, was delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Science Festival, with whom the University has a long-standing relationship, delivering high-quality science engagement for thousands of people throughout the region.
Dr Alistair McConnell, Dean of Science and Engineering at Heriot-Watt, spearheaded the event. He said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to host this event and inspire the next generation of roboticists to consider a future career in robotics or engineering.
“The National Robotarium is pioneering robotics research that has the potential to transform our lives, work and health. However, we don’t often get to take our robots out their labs and share them with the public.
“Given the event sold-out weeks ahead, it’s clear that people of all ages are fascinated by the latest discoveries in robotics.”
Robotics Unveiled was one of two robot-themed events delivered by Alistair and his team as part of the world-renowned science festival. On 8 April, Alistair, alongside other researchers from the National Robotarium, Dr Marta Romeo and Dr Peter McKenna, hosted ‘Two Truths and a Robot Lie’, a Traitors-style whodunnit that explored human trust in robotics with an Adam Smith twist. The event was held in the prestigious Panmure House and attracted dozens of participants throughout the day, as well as a VIP event in the evening.
