Hardware Podcasts

Episode 125: Chatting with robots - Gabriel Skantze

Robot Talk · 13 Jun 2025 · 27m · Episode 125

What this episode covers

Gabriel Skantze, Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and co-founder of Furhat Robotics, discusses the design of conversational robots that use face-to-face interaction. He explains how Furhat Robotics combines animated facial projection with hardware to enable natural turn-taking and gaze coordination, addressing the uncanny valley of static screens. Skantze details commercial applications including information kiosks at Deutsche Bahn, job interview simulations, and medical training at Karolinsky Institute, while noting the challenges of using large language models for engaging, non-transactional companion interactions with the elderly.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Furhat Robotics, Deutsche Bahn, Karolinsky Institute
Products
Tesla Optimus

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Next Byte Podcast · 23m

    171. Finally! A Humanoid Robot You Can Trust

    Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a research project from Columbia University that aims to overcome the 'uncanny valley' in humanoid robotics by creating a robot named Emo with a highly expressive, human-like face. They detail the hardware design, which uses 26 actuators and soft silicon skin to mimic the 30 muscles of the human face, and the software training process where the robot learned expressions by watching itself in a mirror and 'binge-watching' YouTube videos of human faces. The conversation explores the concept of 'co-expression' in human interaction, the ethical implications of creating robots that are too convincing, and the potential integration of large language models like ChatGPT to provide conversational context for the robot's reactions.

    Robotics & autonomyAI & machine learning
    6 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 00m

    207: I Love My Robot Monkey Head (Repeat)

    Professor Ayanna Howard of Georgia Tech discusses her research on designing robots to interact with children with special needs, focusing on kinematic modeling, emotional expression, and the phenomenon of human-robot trust. She explains how robots like the Nao and Darwin Mini are used to engage users, detailing the technical challenges of creating fluid motion and reactive behaviors. Howard also addresses the 'uncanny valley,' the risks of over-trusting autonomous systems like self-driving cars, and offers advice for hobbyists and students on getting started with robotics platforms like Lego Mindstorms and ROS.

    Robotics & autonomyEmbedded firmware
    9 chapters

  • The Robo Success Podcast · 41m

    Ep. 18: What Happens When Machines Start Feeling More Human?

    Andrew Kiguel, CEO and Chairman of Realbotix, discusses the company's focus on social companion robots rather than industrial automation, leveraging his background in finance and previous ventures like Hut 8. He details the development of the Aria educational robot, which uses a closed-loop, STEM-based AI to provide safe tutoring in schools, and introduces the new Echo line, including characters like Amar and Mila, designed for stationary, human-facing interactions. Kiguel argues that stationary designs offer practical advantages in battery life and safety, while highlighting the market validation provided by competitors like UBTech and Unitree in China.

    Industrial & consumer product designEmbedded firmware
    7 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 28m

    2024 Robotics Summit recap / Interviews with RBR50 Winners

    Steve Crowe, Mike Oitzman, and Eugene Demaitre recap the 2024 Robotics Summit, highlighting the Disney keynote on animatronic believability and the surge in humanoid robot development. They interview Agility Robotics co-founder Jonathan Hurst about the commercialization of its Digit humanoid and the convergence of AI and hardware. The hosts also speak with Brightpick CEO Jan Zizka about its Auto Picker system for warehouse order fulfillment and the strategic focus on specialized applications over general-purpose robots.

    Robotics & autonomyAI & machine learning
    7 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 35m

    Kate Darling on the Future of Robotics and AI Ethics

    Dr. Kate Darling, research lead for ethics and society at the AI Institute, discusses the intersection of robotics and social science with hosts Steve Crow and Mike Oitzman. They cover the recent RoboBusiness 2023 event, highlighting the industry's focus on humanoids like Agility Robotics' Digit and Figure AI's robot, as well as the integration of Generative AI in robotics. Darling shares her perspective on human-robot interaction, using the Stop & Shop Marty robot and public perception of autonomous vehicles like Waymo and Cruise to illustrate the social challenges of deploying robots in shared spaces.

    Robotics & autonomyAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Robot Talk. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.