Episode Thirty-Five: Emily S. Cross

Robot Talk · 3 Feb 2023 · 25m · Episode 35

What this episode covers

Professor Emily S. Cross, from the University of Glasgow and Western Sydney University, explains how her Social Brain in Action Laboratory uses neuroscience, dance, and robots to study social learning and human-robot interaction. She discusses the action observation network, demonstrating that humans can learn complex physical skills by watching others, and argues that robots need not look human to be effective social partners, citing the Cosmo robot as an example of successful minimal design. Cross also explores computer-generated choreography, finding that while experts can distinguish AI from human dance, general enjoyment dips when the artificial origin is known, and highlights the potential for embodied robot tutors in physical spaces.

Mentioned

Companies
University of Glasgow, Western Sydney University, Ishiguro's lab, Bangor University, Boston dynamics
Products
Cosmo robot, Atlas robots
Also
Social Brain in Action Laboratory

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