NEW TIME Gateway Event - Turning materials into evolving soft robots

Date: 
Mon, 14/01/2019 - 16:00 to Tue, 15/01/2019 - 16:45
Location: 
Bayes Centre G.03
Speaker: 
Dr Fumiya Iida
University of Cambridge, Bio-Inspired Robotics Lab

Robots have been successful in the applications which require speed, power and precision, but very limited where soft and delicate interactions are necessary. In this context the use of soft functional materials opened the door to a range of new types of machines, soft robots, that can not only interact with soft objects in the environment but also make robots themselves into soft structures for better adaptability in different situations.

Centre Academics named as Ones to Watch 2019

Submitted by Anne Murphy on Tue, 18/12/2018 - 11:31

Professor Verena Rieser and Professor Oliver Lemon have been named as People to Watch in 2019 in the Digital List in FutureScot, a journal that reports on the digital technology sector in Scotland. The article recognises the team’s research work in the area of AI, Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing and acknowledges that this has enabled Heriot-Watt University to be a top three finalist in the Amazon Alexa Challenge for two years in a row.

Green light for National Robotarium

Submitted by Anne Murphy on Tue, 18/12/2018 - 11:14

The creation of the UK’s first National Robotarium reached a significant milestone on 17th December after its business case was approved by the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee.

The multimillion pound hub, to be built at Heriot-Watt University in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, will be the UK’s leading innovation hub for robotics and autonomous systems, delivering leading-edge research and support for business creation and growth, as well as data skills.

The next great leap forward? Combining robots with the Internet of Things

Submitted by Anne Murphy on Mon, 17/12/2018 - 11:09

Centre Academic Mauro Dragone has authored an article in The Conversation on the major opportunities that will be opened up by incorporating robots into the Internet of Things. 

The full article can be read here http://theconversation.com/the-next-great-leap-forward-combining-robots-with-the-internet-of-things-108307

Student journal club

Date: 
Thu, 29/11/2018 - 18:00 to Fri, 30/11/2018 - 18:45
Location: 
Informatics Forum, rm 4.31/33.

Presenters at this Journal club are:

Iordanis Chatzinikolaidis - Control-Limited Differential Dynamic Programming. Y. Tassa, N. Mansard, and E. Todorov (2014).

Chris McGreavy - RelaxedIK: Real-time Synthesis of Accurate and Feasible Robot Arm Motion. D. Rakita, B. Mutlu, and M. Gleicher (2018).

 

 

 

Centre hosts launch of New Girlguiding Scotland Digital Activity Badge

Submitted by Anne Murphy on Fri, 09/11/2018 - 08:49

Edinburgh Centre for Robotics was delighted to provide the venue for the launch of Girlguiding Scotland’s first digital activity badge designed to encourage girls of all ages to develop the skills they need for their digital future.

The Digital Scotland Challenge Badge was created in partnership with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Education Scotland, and aims to empower every girl to make the most of the opportunities technology offers.