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

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2023-06-23
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 54
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=7) Introduction: Live at Great Exhibition Road Festival
- [1:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=108) Glyn Morgan on Iconic Sci-Fi Robots: Robbie and R2-D2
- [4:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=289) The Impact of Science Fiction on Public Perception of Robotics
- [6:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=418) Bani Anvari’s Research: Drones, Shuttles, and Haptic Feedback
- [14:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=856) Thrishantha Nanayakara on Soft Robotics and Medical Training
- [22:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=1377) Audience Q&A: Realistic Depictions and Consciousness
- [36:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=2188) Future of Robotics and Asimov’s Three Laws
- [50:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction#t=3022) Conclusion and Season Wrap-up

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

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

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Kate Darling on the Future of Robotics and AI Ethics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-10-24-kate-darling-on-the-future-of-robotics-and-ai-ethics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [375: Hiding in Your Roomba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-03-375-hiding-in-your-roomba) (Embedded.fm)
- [Marc Raibert on the future of robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-07-25-marc-raibert-on-the-future-of-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [49. What Robots Can Learn from Starfish and Falcons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-21-49-what-robots-can-learn-from-starfish-and-falcons) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [The Robot Centennial | Sensors in Automotive | He’ll Be Back](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-10-23-the-robot-centennial-sensors-in-automotive-hell-be-back) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Robot Talk.