News

First Minister welcomes robotic research partnership between China and Scotland

Scotland’s First Minister has welcomed a unique robotics partnership – set to forge strong links between Scotland and China.

The Edinburgh Centre for Robotics has joined forces with The State Key Laboratory of Robotics in Shenyang to work on joint research projects in marine robotics, nano robotics, electric power industry robotics and medical robotics.

Socially Competent Robot (SoCoRo) team attend Scottish Autism Conference

Ever wondered what it would be like to have a robot boss or robot colleague? This is just one of the topics raised by the Socially Competent Robot (SoCoRo) team at this year’s Scottish Autism Conference. The event, hosted by the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 28th March, gave researchers the opportunity to openly discuss the SoCoRo project aims, and gather feedback from a variety of interested parties: parents of autistic children, academics, teachers, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

As Dr Peter McKenna explained,

Professor Sethu Vijayakumar speaks at OGTC's Tech20

The Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) has launched a series of weekly events called 'Tech20'.  It is hoped that these social showcases, where speakers present technology focused topic, will inspire a culture of innovation in the North-East of Scotland.

On March 30th Professor Sethu Vijayakumar participated as a keynote speaker at the OGTC in Aberdeen as part of the Tech20 event series.  His talk was titled: Shared Autonomy: The Future of Interactive Robotics?

Professor David Lane appointed as a Maritime 2050 panel expert

Maritime 2050 will be a bold new strategic vision to ensure that the UK maritime sector remains a leading global power, strengthening the UK economy for 2050 and beyond.

Professor David Lane has been appointed to the Maritime 20150 panel by the Secretary of State and will look strategically at the issues that will be of critical importance to the maritime industry, and all the industries it sustains, up to 2050. 

Lord Henley visits Edinburgh Centre for Robotics

A prominent UK Government Minister visited Heriot-Watt University today, to find out more about cutting-edge robotics research.

Lord Henley toured the Ocean Systems and Human Robot Interaction labs to hear more about innovative work which goes on at the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.

During the event, the Minister met with academics and was given demonstrations of underwater robots, which are used in extreme environments.

ECR team represents UK in global Amazon competition

Heriot-Watt University’s reputation for AI and robotics has been bolstered after it was selected as the UK’s only entrant in this year’s $3.5 million Amazon Alexa Prize.

A seven-strong group of PhD students – named Team Alana - will once again go head-to-head with universities from around the world to develop an artificial intelligence software that can understand and respond to human conversation.

 

Distinguished Lecture welcomes Professor David Lane

Heriot-Watt University Dubai welcomed Professor David Lane to the annual Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Lecture.  The prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Lectures invite global leaders of industry, business and academia to share their knowledge and vision with students, colleagues and guests.

Professor Lane FREng FRSE CBE, Founding Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, discussed some of the exciting advances underway in research and innovation, as well as recent successes in commercialisation and international challenge competitions.

International contest reveals assisted living robots of the future

Europe’s most advanced assisted living robots were showcased in an international tournament at Heriot-Watt University, this week.

Academic teams from across the continent battled it out in the European Robotics League Service Robot Challenge (ERL), testing robots which aim to assist older people in a care setting.

The competition took place in the University’s custom built 60 square metre real life living laboratory, with researchers testing robots which could revolutionise the healthcare and social care sectors. 

Prof Sethu Vijayakumar on BBC Radio Scotland - Brainwaves

On January 17th an interview with Prof Sethu Vijayakumar will air as part of BBC Radio Scotland's Brainwaves series.  

It will be boadcast at 13:30 on Janurary 17th and again on Sunday the 21st at 06:00, with ability to replay on their website by following the link here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m17xr

"What role will robots play in our lives in the future? We already interact with robots on a daily basis but with the development of intelligent, free-thinking robots our relationship with them will change.