Podcast Archives

Podcast Archives

  • Episode 54 – Robot Talk Live

    Robotics and Science Fiction 23/06/23 Robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines have become a necessity for our future world but what are the implications of robots for society and how much influence does science fiction have on how we embrace our new friends? In this special live recording at the Great Exhibition Road Festival, Claire…

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  • Episode 53 – Robert Richardson

    3D printing, robot design, and infrastructure repair 16/06/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Robert Richardson from the University of Leeds all about 3D printing, robot design, and infrastructure repair. Robert Richardson is Professor of Robotics in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds, and executive chair of…

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  • Episode 52 – Sara Bernardini

    decision-making, reconfigurable robots, and oceanography 09/06/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Sara Bernardini from Royal Holloway University of London all about decision-making, reconfigurable robots, and oceanography. Sara Bernardini is a Professor of AI at Royal Holloway University of London, the Principal Research Scientist in AI and Data Science at the…

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  • Episode 51 – James Kell

    civil infrastructure, nuclear robotics, and jet engine inspection 02/06/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to James Kell from Jacobs Engineering UK all about civil infrastructure, nuclear robotics, and jet engine inspection. James Kell is Robotics Technical Director at Jacobs Engineering UK. He is responsible for the internal robotics technical strategy and…

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  • Episode 50 – Elena De Momi

    surgical robotics, artificial intelligence, and the ICRA robotics conference 26/06/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Elena De Momi from the Polytechnic University of Milan all about surgical robotics, artificial intelligence, and the upcoming ICRA robotics conference in London. Elena De Momi received her MSc in Biomedical Engineering in 2002, PhD…

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  • Episode 49 – Nick Hawes

    decision-making, long-term autonomy, and artificial intelligence 19/05/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Nick Hawes from the University of Oxford all about robot decision-making, long-term autonomy, and artificial intelligence. Nick Hawes is a Professor of AI and Robotics at the University of Oxford, where he directs the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI).…

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  • Episode 48 – Georgia Chalvatzaki

    mobile assistive robots, learning, and planning 12/05/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Georgia Chalvatzaki from the Technical University of Darmstadt all about mobile assistive robots, learning, and planning. Georgia Chalvatzaki is a Professor of Robot Perception and Learning at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. Before that, she was an…

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  • Episode 47 – Helmut Hauser

    soft robotics, sensing, and smart robot bodies 04/05/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Helmut Hauser from the University of Bristol all about soft robotics, sensing, and smart robot bodies. Helmut Hauser is an Associate Professor in Robotics at the University of Bristol and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. He is also…

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  • Episode 46 – Carlotta Berry

    robotics education, science outreach, and increasing participation 28/04/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Carlotta Berry from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology all about robotics education, science outreach, and increasing participation. Carlotta Berry has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Spelman College, bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of…

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  • Episode 45 – Francesco Giorgio-Serchi

    underwater robots, weather-proofing, and soft robotics 21/04/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Francesco Giorgio-Serchi from the University of Edinburgh all about underwater robots, weather-proofing, and soft robotics. Francesco Giorgio-Serchi is a Lecturer and Chancellor’s Fellow in Robotics and Autonomous Systems at the University of Edinburgh. His work encompasses the design…

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  • Episode 44 – Kat Thiel

    collaborative robots, micro-factories, and fashion manufacturing 14/04/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Kat Thiel from Manchester Metropolitan University all about collaborative robots, micro-factories, and fashion manufacturing. Kat Thiel is a Senior Research Associate at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Manchester Fashion Institute with a research focus on Fashion Practice Research and Industry…

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  • Episode 43 – Maitreyee Wairagkar

    neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and assistive robotics. 31/03/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Maitreyee Wairagkar from the University of California all about neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and assistive robotics. Maitreyee Wairagkar is a postdoctoral fellow at University of California, Davis, developing assistive neurotechnology using artificial intelligence to restore lost function in people…

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  • Episode 42 – Thom Kirwan-Evans

    computer vision, machine learning, and robots in industry 24/03/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Thom Kirwan-Evans from Origami Labs all about computer vision, machine learning, and robots in industry. Thom Kirwan-Evans is a co-founder at Origami Labs where he applies the latest AI research to solve complex real world problems.…

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  • Episode 41 – Alessandra Rossi

    social robotics, theory of mind, and robots playing football 17/03/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Alessandra Rossi from the University of Naples all about social robotics, theory of mind, and robots playing football. Alessandra Rossi is Assistant Professor at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. Her PhD thesis…

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  • Episode 40 – Edward Timpson

    robots in the military, uncrewed vehicles, and cyber security 10/03/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Edward Timpson from QinetiQ all about robots in the military, uncrewed vehicles, and cyber security. Ed Timpson joined QinetiQ in 2020 after 11 years serving in the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineering Officer (Submarines)…

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  • Episode 39 – Maria Bauza Villalonga

    robot learning, transferable skills, and general AI 03/03/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Maria Bauza Villalonga from DeepMind all about robot learning, transferable skills, and general AI. Maria Bauza Villalonga is a research scientist at DeepMind. In 2022, she earned her PhD in Robotics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,…

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  • Episode 38 – Jonathan Aitken

    manufacturing, sewer inspection, and robots in the real world 24/02/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Jonathan Aitken from the University of Sheffield all about manufacturing, sewer inspection, and robots in the real world. Jonathan Aitken is a Senior University Teacher in Robotics at the University of Sheffield. His research is…

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  • Episode 37 – Yang Gao

    space robotics and planetary exploration 16/02/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Yang Gao from the University of Surrey all about space robotics and planetary exploration. Yang Gao is Professor of Space Autonomous Systems and Founding Head of the STAR LAB that specializes in robotic sensing, perception, visual guidance, navigation, and…

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  • Episode 36 – Ignazio Maria Viola

    aerodynamics, dandelion-inspired drones, and swarm sensing 10/02/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Ignazio Maria Viola from the University of Edinburgh all about aerodynamics, dandelion-inspired drones, and swarm sensing. Ignazio Maria Viola is Professor of Fluid Mechanics and Bioinspired Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, and Fellow of…

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  • Episode 35 – Emily S. Cross

    neuroscience, social learning, and human-robot interaction 03/02/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Emily S. Cross from the University of Glasgow and Western Sydney University all about neuroscience, social learning, and human-robot interaction. Emily S. Cross is a Professor of Social Robotics at the University of Glasgow, and a Professor of…

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  • Episode 34 – Sabine Hauert

    swarm robotics, nanorobots, and environmental monitoring 27/01/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Sabine Hauert from the University of Bristol all about swarm robotics, nanorobots, and environmental monitoring. Sabine Hauert is Associate Professor of Swarm Engineering at University of Bristol. She leads a team of 20 researchers working on making swarms…

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  • Episode 33 – Dan Stoyanov

    robotic vision, surgical robotics, and artificial intelligence 20/01/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Dan Stoyanov from University College London all about robotic vision, surgical robotics, and artificial intelligence. Dan Stoyanov, FREng, FIET, is a Professor at UCL Computer Science holding a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies. He…

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  • Episode 32 – Mollie Claypool

    robot house-building, zero-carbon architecture, and community participation 13/01/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Mollie Claypool from Automated Architecture all about robot house-building, zero-carbon architecture, and community participation. Mollie Claypool is CEO of AUAR Ltd, a tech company revolutionising house building using automation. Mollie is a leading architecture theorist focused on…

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  • Episode 31 – Chris Atkeson

    humanoid robots, human-aware environments and the future of AI and robotics 06/01/23 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Chris Atkeson from Carnegie Mellon University all about humanoid robots, human-aware environments and the future of AI and robotics. Chris Atkeson is a professor in the Robotics Institute and Human-Computer Interaction Institute at…

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  • Episode 30 – Ana Cavalcanti

    software development, testing and verification, and autonomous mobile robots 16/12/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Ana Cavalcanti from the University of York all about software development, testing and verification, and autonomous mobile robots. Ana Cavalcanti is a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies. She is the leader of…

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  • Episode 29 – Sina Sareh

    industrial inspection, soft robotics, and robotic grippers 09/12/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Sina Sareh from the Royal College of Art all about industrial inspection, soft robotics, and robotic grippers. Sina Sareh is the Academic Leader in Robotics at Royal College of Art. He is currently a Reader (Associate Professor)…

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  • Episode 28 – Amanda Prorok

    self-driving cars, industrial robots, and multi-robot systems 02/12/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Amanda Prorok from the University of Cambridge all about self-driving cars, industrial robots, and multi-robot systems. Amanda Prorok is Professor of Collective Intelligence and Robotics in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Cambridge University, and…

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  • Episode 27 – Simon Wanstall

    soft robotics, robotic prostheses, and taking inspiration from nature 25/11/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Simon Wanstall from the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics all about soft robotics, robotic prostheses, and taking inspiration from nature. Simon Wanstall is a PhD student at the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, working on advancements in…

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  • Episode 26 – Séverin Lemaignan

    social robots, behaviour, and robot-assisted human-human interactions 18/11/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Séverin Lemaignan from PAL Robotics all about social robots, behaviour, and robot-assisted human-human interactions. Séverin Lemaignan is Senior Scientist at Barcelona-based PAL Robotics. He leads the Social Intelligence team, in charge of designing and developing the socio-cognitive…

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  • Episode 25 – Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena

    medical robotics, robotic surgery, and translational research 11/11/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena from Imperial College London about medical robotics, robotic surgery, and translational research. Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena is Professor of Medical Robotics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, where he leads…

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  • Episode 24 – Gopal Ramchurn

    artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and renewable energy 04/11/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Gopal Ramchurn from the University of Southampton about artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and renewable energy. Sarvapali (Gopal) Ramchurn is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Turing Fellow, and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He is…

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  • Episode 23 – Mickey Li

    aerial robotics, building inspection and multi-robot teams 28/10/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire talked to Mickey Li from the University of Bristol about aerial robotics, building inspection and multi-robot teams. Mickey Li is a Robotics and Autonomous systems PhD researcher at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and the University of Bristol. His research…

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  • Episode 22 – Iveta Eimontaite

    psychology, human-robot interaction, and industrial robots 21/10/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire talked to Dr Iveta Eimontaite from Cranfield University about psychology, human-robot interaction, and industrial robots. Iveta Eimontaite studied Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of York and completed her PhD in Cognitive Psychology at Hull University. Prior to joining Cranfield University,…

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  • Episode 21 – Sean Katagiri

    underwater robots, offshore energy, and industrial roboticscs 14/10/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire chatted to Sean Katagiri from The National Robotarium all about underwater robots, offshore energy, and other industrial applications of robotics. Sean Katagiri is a robotics engineer who has the pleasure of being surrounded by and working with robots for…

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  • Episode 20 – Paul Dominick Baniqued

    brain-computer interface technology and rehabilitation robotics 07/10/22 In the latest episode of Robot Talk, Claire talked to Dr Paul Dominick Baniqued from The University of Manchester all about brain-computer interface technology and rehabilitation robotics. Paul Dominick Baniqued received his PhD in robotics and immersive technologies at the University of Leeds. His research tackled the integration…

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  • Episode 19 – Roopika Ravikanna

    farm robots, fruit-picking and human-robot interaction 30/09/22 In the first episode of the new season, Claire chatted to Roopika Ravikanna from the University of Lincoln all about farm robots, fruit-picking and human-robot interaction. Roopika Ravikanna is a second year PhD student at the University of Lincoln pursuing research under ‘AgriForwards’ Centre for Doctoral training. Her…

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  • Episode 18 – Robot Talk Live

    robotics in the home 24/06/22 The first robots went into space over 60 years ago and robotics have become a familiar sight in many industrial settings, but it took a bit longer for robots to make their way into our homes. Robotic vacuum cleaners first started to make an appearance in homes about 20 years…

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  • Episode 17 – Bioinspired Robots

    learning from nature 13/06/22 In many areas of robotics, scientists and engineers are taking inspiration from nature in their designs. Bioinspired robotics now encompasses a huge number of different research fields and applications that we’ve discussed before, from sensing to locomotion and from medical to agricultural robotics. This month, I’m chatting to three roboticists who’ve…

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  • Episode 16 – Disaster Response

    robots to the rescue 29/04/2022 One of the most dangerous and unpredictable Earth environments we can send robots into are disaster zones – sites devastated by natural disasters or conflict — but here they can play some of their most impactful roles, such as surveying, search and rescue, even detecting land mines or defusing bombs.…

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  • Episode 15 – Trustworthy Robots

    building rapport 25/03/2022 Robots are becoming a more and more important part of our home and work lives and as we come to rely on them, trust is of paramount importance. Successful teams are founded on trust, and the same is true for human-robot teams. But what does it mean to trust a robot? I’ll…

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  • Episode 14 – Aerial Robotics

    taking flight 25/02/2022 One of the most familiar types of robot are drones – we’ve seen them replace fireworks at Olympic opening ceremonies and you might have even seen people flying their own. But this is one method of locomotion we haven’t yet covered on Robot Talk, so for episode 14 we’re taking to the…

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  • Episode 13 – Robot Evolution

    survival of the fittest 28/01/2022 Unlike the characteristics of most robots, the adaptations of living organisms weren’t designed – they evolved through natural selection over millions of years. Evolutionary robotics takes inspiration from this process of natural selection to create new robot designs, and allow robots to adapt to their environment over many generations. In…

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  • Episode 12 – Manufacturing Robotics

    onto the factory floor 26/11/2021 The manufacturing industry’s need for accuracy and repeatability in repetitive manual tasks made it an early adopter of robotics technology. Now, as machines become more intelligent and more autonomous, manufacturing robots are taking on more challenging tasks and working more closely with humans. In this episode, I’ll be chatting to…

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  • Episode 11 – Self Driving Cars

    behind the wheel 29/10/2021 In the last decade, autonomous cars have gone from being SciFi fantasy to a commercial reality on our roads, and as with most major technological developments, self-driving cars have been met with a mixture of excitement and fear. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve safety on the roads and take…

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  • Episode 10 – Swarm Robotics

    flocking together 24/09/2021 In season 1 we talked about many different types of robot, working alone or directly with humans. One thing we didn’t get to touch upon very much is when robots work together with other robots, for example, as part of a swarm. In the first episode of the new season, Claire chats…

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  • Episode 9 – Robot Talk Live

    into the wild 25/06/21 We often hear about robots working in controlled, predictable environments, like an assembly line or an operating theatre, but as a former field biologist, Claire is most interested in what happens when we take robots outside into wild environments, where everything — from the elements to the local wildlife — seems to…

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  • Episode 8 – Soft Robotics

    a new kind of robot 28/05/21 Throughout the series so far, soft robotics has come up over and over in different areas, from medicine to agriculture. In this episode, I’ll be chatting to three roboticists working on different applications of this fascinating and fast-developing area of robotics: Dr Thomas Thuruthel (University of Cambridge), Angus Clark…

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  • Episode 7 – Agricultural Robotics

    farming for the future 30/04/2021 Although as consumers we may sometimes feel quite detached from food production, agriculture is central to all our lives. As an industry, agriculture has often been at the forefront of technological development, and today researchers are developing robots that can lighten the load at virtually every stage of the growing…

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  • Episode 6 – Human-Robot Collaboration

    working together 27/03/2021 Although robots have been in our lives for decades, they have often been kept quite separate from the humans they help, whether that’s huge industrial manufacturing robots that operate behind fences on the factory floor or remote handling robots in nuclear and surgical settings. But increasingly, we want to design robots that…

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  • Episode 5 – Robots for hazardous environments

    into the extremes 26/02/2021 One way in which robots can be put to particularly good use is for performing tasks in environments that are too dangerous for humans to work, for example deep below ground or underwater, or in industrial environments like nuclear power plants. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Simon Watson (University…

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  • Episode 4 – Robot Senses

    perceiving the world 29/01/2021 If we want to create smart, adaptable robots, the first thing they need to be able to do is to sense and understand the world around them. In this episode, I explore how robots sense and perceive the world around them with help from Matt Watson (Opteran Technologies), Dr Perla Maiolino…

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  • Episode 3 – Robot Locomotion

    getting moving 27/11/2020 One of the most fundamental things a robot can do is to move around in its environment, and engineers have developed lots of different solutions to robotic locomotion – legs, wheels, rotors, and everything in between. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Romeo Orsolino (Dynamic Robot Systems Group, University of Oxford),…

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  • Episode 2 – Space Robotics

    out of this World 30/10/2020 Of all the different areas that robotics is being applied to, space robotics might be the one that most captures people’s imaginations and inspires us to make what seems impossible, possible. From robots in orbit to planetary rovers and wearable tech, in this episode we’ll explore the latest developments in…

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  • Episode 1 – Medical Robotics

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr James Chandler (STORM Lab, University of Leeds) and Dr Matina Giannarou (Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College London) to talk about the exciting world of medical and surgical robotics and find out what they’ve been working on.

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