Tag Archive for: robots

Renowned author to interview Ameca humanoid robot on-stage at Edinburgh Futures Institute

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Ameca, one of the world’s most advanced humanoids, will take to the stage for a one-on-one interview with nationally decorated author Jeanette Winterson, as part of the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) official launch event.

The robot, recently installed at The National Robotarium, a world-leading centre for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) at Heriot-Watt University, will share its thoughts on the rapid advancement of AI in society and how people’s lives, work and learning will be impacted by the development of these technologies.

Also speaking at the event, taking place 7 October, is the National Robotarium’s Head of Robotics, Dr Ingo Keller, who will join a panel discussion with Jeanette and Chair JL Williams for a deep-dive into the future of robots and how human trust and relationships robots will evolve as the technology gets increasingly more sophisticated.

‘Jeanette Winterson: In Conversation with Ameca’ kicks-off EFI’s new season of events, Learning Curves, its first since renovation work was completed on the building. It also marks the first joint event delivered by EFI and The National Robotarium, both partner hubs of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative, funded as part of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal to make the region the data capital of Europe.

Get your FREE ticket at: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/jeanette-winterson-in-conversation-with-ameca/

For more information on EFI’s Learning Curves autumn programme, including links to other events, visit: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/learning-curves-autumn-2024/

Image of robotics workshop and lab at the National Robotarium

The National Robotarium opens its doors with global collaboration announcement

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The National Robotarium, which officially opens today [Wednesday 28 September 2022], has announced a major applied engineering and research collaboration with multi-billion dollar company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

The pioneering £22.4 million centre for robotics and artificial intelligence is the largest and most advanced of its kind in the UK. The facility will collaborate with TCS on applied engineering and joint research across multiple disciplines including soft robotics, field robotics, co-bot and tele-operations. Significantly, the agreement also covers areas of urgent societal need including social and geriatric care, a sector in which the National Robotarium is already well-known.

Part of the Tata group, India’s largest multinational business group, TCS has partnered with many of the world’s largest businesses for over 50 years to help deliver transformative projects. Operating in 55 countries, TCS generated consolidated revenues of over 25 billion USD in the fiscal year to end March 2022. TCS Research has a dedicated robotics unit that works with various industry segments.

Utilising expertise from both Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, TCS Research will collaborate with the world-leading National Robotarium to create innovative solutions to global challenges using cutting-edge robotics and AI research, product design and new technology creation.

The agreement with the National Robotarium will build on and support a wider partnership between Heriot-Watt University and TCS which will additionally include education, information technology and innovation developments.

Commenting ahead of the opening ceremony of the facility, Stewart Miller, CEO of the National Robotarium, said: “This exciting collaboration is a fitting milestone to announce during the official opening ceremony of the National Robotarium. The partnership will enable TCS and the National Robotarium to bring together our vast combined experience and expertise, elevating the robotics and artificial intelligence offering of both organisations as a result.

“Together we will deliver applied solutions across a range of challenges informed by TCS’ clients, utilising the unique facilities of our new building and adopting an enhanced approach which aims to de-risk and speed up adoption in the market. We will shortly announce a joint programme of focused research, which will outline some of the future technologies required in the field of robotics and AI.

“This announcement is the first of many for the National Robotarium as we ramp up our global collaborative activities. Britain has a long and rich heritage of delivering cutting-edge innovation on the world stage. The opening of this dedicated, state-of-the-art facility is another important milestone in that story and one which I believe demonstrates Scotland and the UK’s role at the forefront of global developments in AI and robotics.”

Ananth Krishnan, Chief Technology Officer of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), commented: “TCS is delighted to announce this crucial strategic partnership with The National Robotarium. As part of this agreement, we will leverage the TCS Pace™ philosophy and ecosystem to accelerate industrial collaboration and increase the adoption of AI and robotics solutions that can help resolve some of the most important social issues facing the world today. We are truly excited to start working with The National Robotarium and achieving our shared goal of empowering people’s lives with innovative technology.”

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Four representatives from the National Robotarium and Fourier Intelligence shake hands at MOU signing

The National Robotarium signs MOU with Fourier Intelligence

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Senior representatives from international robotic technology company, Fourier Intelligence, were welcomed at the National Robotarium on Tuesday 12 July to co-sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the new facility.

Fourier Global HQ CEO, Zen Koh, met with CEO of the National Robotarium, Stewart Miller, and colleagues, for a tour of the multimillion-pound, purpose-built facility, based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus. The facility will be the UK’s largest and most advanced applied research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) when it opens later this year.

The visit follows the generous in-kind contribution by Fourier of sophisticated robotic equipment that can be used to support upper and lower limb training and exercises. Scientists from Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh will use the technology to underpin research and improve understanding of the use of robotics and AI for assisted living, movement, and patient rehabilitation.

“The National Robotarium will be the UK’s leading centre for robotics and artificial intelligence, developing solutions to global challenges.

“Signing the MOU with Fourier Intelligence was both an honour and an opportunity to highlight our commitment to work with companies on the cutting-edge of science and technology, and achieve our shared goals of advancing robotics on a global stage.” – Stewart Miller, CEO of the National Robotarium

Zen Koh said: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with the National Robotarium and I am looking forward to further developing our technology for use by their robotics experts and clinicians to making our technology localised.

“Fourier Intelligence are at the forefront of developing and redefining interconnectable, intelligent robotics technology and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together through this new relationship.”

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Group of primary school children pose on building site with shovel

Local primary school buries time capsule at the National Robotarium

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Robot illustrations and snapshots from life in 2022 will live in perpetuity following the burial of a time capsule at the National Robotarium, a world leading centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence opening at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus.

Primary 4 pupils from local school Nethercurrie Primary visited the site as part of the Great Science Share, an annual campaign created to raise the profile of science in schools and communities. Events were held up and down the country on 14 June to celebrate science and its potential for increasing knowledge and confidence amongst 5-14 year-olds.

Following the site visit, organised by contractors Robertson Construction who have led on the build of the multimillion-pound facility, the schoolchildren received a tour of the robotics labs, led by Heriot-Watt Assistant Professor, Dr Alistair McConnell, and were treated to a number of robot demonstrations, including a visit from resident robot dog M.A.R.T.I.N.A.

Robot dog demonstration conducted by male academic to group of primary school children

Dr Alistair McConnell demos SPOT robot dogs M.A.R.T.I.N and M.A.R.T.I.N.A to local school children

They were also asked to draw their visions of robots in the future, which will be stored in the capsule, ready for discovery in many years to come.

“It was an honour to welcome the young people to the University and celebrate this year’s Great Science Share at the National Robotarium. We enjoyed giving tours of our labs and technology, and I was really impressed by the quality and imagination on display in the class robot drawings.

“The centre will be a leader in the exploration, testing and development of robotic and AI solutions and it will be fascinating to see if what we think is possible now marries up with what is achieved by future generations of roboticists.” – Dr Alistair McConnell, Assistant Professor in Computer Science

Dr Sam Clark, Academic Liaison and Outreach Coordinator and organiser of the day’s activities, said: “Events like the Great Science Share are a fantastic opportunity to engage and inspire young people to learn more about science and careers in STEM.

“Alistair and his team of robot engineers delivered a very engaging session and I hope that some of our young visitors will consider coming back to Heriot-Watt to study one of our robotics programmes when they’re older.”

Dr Lindsay Wilson, National Robotarium Manager, said: “We were thrilled to invite the pupils from Nethercurrie School to visit the site of our new facility and are pleased to provide a home for the school’s robot-themed time capsule.

“The National Robotarium is dedicated to developing robotic solutions that play a positive role for people and society and it is great to have these opportunities to demonstrate the potential benefits of using robots or AI to the next generation of learners.”

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Robot dog at exhibition event

The National Robotarium at the Scottish AI Summit

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Researchers from the National Robotarium took part in the inaugural Scottish AI Summit, hosted by Scotland’s AI Strategy at Dynamic Earth on 30th March.

The sell-out event was organised to showcase how Scotland is delivering on its vision to become a leader in the development and use of Trustworthy, Ethical and Inclusive AI.

The National Robotarium team, led by Professor Lynne Baillie, took part in the all-day exhibition with a variety of robots on-hand to demonstrate the breadth of robotics and AI science being explored at the world-leading facility, which opens later this year.

National Robotarium exhibition stand with selection of robots

Robots on display included ARI, Nao, SPOT and the Toyota Human Support Robot

Professor Baillie said: “We were thrilled to take part – and sponsor – the first ever Scottish AI Summit, and help support Scotland’s AI Strategy in driving the national agenda to build trust in AI technologies.

“At the National Robotarium we’re committed to advancing robotics science and engineering, and want to show people that, as well as being fun and engaging, there is huge potential for robots and artificial intelligence to positively impact healthcare, safety, productivity, and our lives as a whole.

“Getting to demonstrate that to a sell-out audience, and being able to connect with Scotland’s thriving network of data and technology professionals, government leaders and educators, was a fantastic opportunity.”

Also in attendance was Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, who delivered the keynote address and officially launched the Scottish Government’s new guide to use of artificial intelligence in Scotland. The Scottish AI Playbook is being developed as a practical and living resource that will enable Scottish businesses to effectively utilise AI to drive growth and innovation.

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