Hardware Podcasts

Episode Fifty-Four: Robot Talk Live - Robotics and Science Fiction

Robot Talk · 23 Jun 2023 · 52m · Episode 54

What this episode covers

Clare Asher hosts a live discussion at the Great Exhibition Road Festival with Glyn Morgan of the Science Museum, Bani Anvari of University College London, and Thrishantha Nanayakara of Imperial College London to explore the intersection of robotics and science fiction. Glyn Morgan argues that science fiction serves as a cognitive tool and 'laboratory of the mind,' shaping public perception through iconic figures like Robbie the Robot and R2-D2 while often misdirecting debate toward 'robot uprisings' rather than real-world ethical issues. Bani Anvari details her research on intelligent mobility, including drone logistics, autonomous shuttles, and haptic feedback in vehicles, highlighting the gap between predictable environments and unpredictable edge cases involving vulnerable road users. Thrishantha Nanayakara explains how his Morphlab uses soft robotics to study biological principles, such as mountain goat hooves, and applies these insights to develop robotic patients for medical training and environmental monitoring robots for the Alps.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Science Museum, University College London, Imperial College London, Dyson School of Design Engineering, EPSRC, UK Robotics Network
Products
Robbie the Robot, Forbidden Planet, R2-D2, Star Wars, Big Hero 6, Baymax, Maniac, WALL-E, 2001: A Space Odyssey, I, Robot
Also
Morphlab, Isaac Asimov

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