A robot is a machine capable of sensing and carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially when controlled by computer programs. It seems that every day we hear news items concerning robots, the tasks that they are now able to perform and how they are expected to interact with humans.
Particularly newsworthy are autonomous robots that operate without immediate human control and androids that are made to resemble humans, but most robots are machines designed to perform a task with the most practical shape for the task itself.
The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots, is called robotics. Robotics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that involves mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and other disciplines from the social sciences. In New Zealand, robotics is an active area of research.
There are four lectures covering different areas of the topic.
3 May: Robotics research in New Zealand
Bruce MacDonald from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Auckland, will give an overview of the state of robotics research, especially local research directions.
10 May: Robots in industry
Mike Shatford, Managing Director of Design Energy, will give a summary of how robotics and supporting technologies are solving problems for industry, worldwide and in New Zealand, particularly in small and medium enterprises.
17 May: Will robotic vision ever fully replace human vision?
Patrice Delmas, Department of Computer Science, University of Auckland, will discuss the problems of providing robots with vision.
24 May: Can we be friends with robots?
Elizabeth Broadbent from Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, will present some of the social issues of interacting with robots and her research into this area.
Locations
- 3, 17, 24 May – 260.088, Level 0 Foyer, Owen G Glenn Building, University of Auckland
- 10 May – John Hood Plaza, Level 1, Owen G Glenn Building, University of Auckland
For further information: www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/ourdepartment/gibbons-lectures.html#414413851cca423ccad5e0c7f41fbcab
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