Navigating the Physical World: The Essential Role of Robots

Robots are set to become an essential part of our future, assisting us in our homes, workplaces, and even hospitals. These robots are not only becoming more useful but also more relatable, as scientists design them with human-like features and responses. Increasingly, robots are being developed to look, feel, and move in ways inspired by the natural world. Through bio-inspired design, researchers can create robots that mimic the movements and adaptability of plants and animals, enabling them to interact more naturally with their surroundings and perform tasks that were once challenging for machines.

We invite children and young people aged 12 to 18 years and their parents to take part in our 50min workshops. Booking is essential and parents must stay with their children (and are encouraged to take part themselves too).

The workshop is being run four times during the day. Please book onto one session.

In this interactive session at Newnham College, Dr Chapa Sirithunge, Narges Khadem Hosseini, Dr Yue Xie and Dr Arsen Abdulali will introduce you to the exciting world of bio-inspired robots. Participants will explore soft robotics hands-on, experimenting with robots and materials designed to feel and respond with a “softness” similar to what we encounter in nature. Through engaging workshop activities, participants will conduct experiments to better understand how humans perceive softness and why this understanding is crucial in creating robots that feel and react in helpful, approachable ways.

Activities will showcase how plant and animal processes influence robot design, and you will gain insights into how mimicking nature can lead to breakthroughs in robotics.

Additionally, the team will share their experiences as researchers, discussing the essential role of robots in the future and offering guidance on pursuing STEM paths. They will highlight the field of robotics as a promising and accessible path, especially for young women interested in STEM, encouraging them to explore how to thrive and innovate in robotics.

This workshop offers an inspiring environment to learn about the science of robotics and experience how nature’s influence shapes the evolving look, feel, and behaviour of robots. Join us for an exciting exploration of soft robotics, bio-inspired design, and the potential robots hold for our future.