Human-robot co-worker grant awarded
Human-robot co-worker grant awarded
2008-05-14Newsfeed
British scientists have won a £1 million grant to carry out research into whether a human and a robot can safely work together in the same space.
British scientists have won a £1 million grant to carry out research into whether a human and a robot can safely work together in the same space.
The project, a collaboration between robotic engineers, cognitive scientists and psychologists from the West of England and Bristol universities, has been funded by the European Commission.
Researchers based at the Bristol Robotics Lab (BRL) will look at specific situations, such as in a kitchen where a service robot is performing a task such as stirring soup, while a human adds cream.
Professor Chris Melhuish, of the BRL, explained: "When we interact with other humans we are interpreting facial expression, body position, gestures, tone of voice as well as sharing a goal and understanding and following verbal instructions."
Robots currently working in manufacturing are kept behind barriers for safety reasons - a measure that is not practical in the kitchen.
Professor Meluish added: "If we can provide the cognition necessary for safe robot-human co-operation in the same physical space then this will enable significant advancement in this area, and we will be a step closer to having service robots in society."
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
