Learn@Lunch with Professor Mari Velonaki

EVENT POSTPONED: contact alumnievents@unsw.edu.au for more information

When people think of robots, chances are they don’t picture a cute fluffy seal pup, but this is because they’ve never heard of Paro. Sweet little Paro is a therapeutic robot designed to help dementia patients to feel calm and communicate better. Then there is Kaspar, a doll-like robot boy, who is used to help autistic children to feel more comfortable with social interaction.

This is Social Robotics in action. While some are anxious about the growing prevalence of AI, experts at the UNSW Creative Robotics Lab (CRL) are pioneering a future where unique robots like Paro and Kaspar are enhancing humanity, rather than replacing it. At our first Learn@Lunch talk for 2019, CRL Founder and Director Professor Mari Velonaki will share insights into the fascinating new field of Social Robotics.

As the leader of a multidisciplinary team of artists, computer scientists, engineers and psychologists, Mari will explore the concept of ‘experiential design’ as a key driver to an engaging human-robot interaction, and unpack the many ways that humans can interact with robots to benefit society.

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Please note: external food is not permitted inside the venue. Light refreshments will be provided.

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