Robot Talk

Robot Talk
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join us each week as we explore the exciting world of robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines. Each episode, Dr Claire Asher — science communicator and robot enthusiast — chats with roboticists from around the world to find out how their cutting-edge research is influencing the future of every aspect of science, technology, and engineering, from the mundane to the extraordinary.

  1. Robot trust in humans - Samuele Vinanzi

    16 HRS AGO

    Robot trust in humans - Samuele Vinanzi

    Claire chatted to Samuele Vinanzi from Sheffield Hallam University about how robots can tell whether to trust or distrust people. Samuele Vinanzi is a Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Sheffield Hallam University. He specializes in Cognitive Robotics: an interdisciplinary field that integrates robotics, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and psychology to create robots that perceive, reason, and interact like humans. His research focuses on enabling social collaboration between humans and robots, particularly emotional intelligence, intention reading, and artificial trust. His recent book, "In Robots We Trust", explores trust relationships between humans and robots. Join the Robot Talk community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    30 min
  2. Robots for children - Elmira Yadollahi

    FEB 6

    Robots for children - Elmira Yadollahi

    Claire chatted to Elmira Yadollahi from Lancaster University about how children interact with and relate to robots. Elmira Yadollahi is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Lancaster University. She has a joint PhD in robotics and computer science from EPFL in Switzerland and Instituto Superior Técnico in Portugal. Her research tackles explainability in robotics, as well as multimodal perception and explanation methods. Her core expertise is in child–robot interaction, with a focus on expectation management, trust, and AI literacy. She has organised workshops on Explainability in Human-Robot Interaction and the Design and Development of Robots and AI with Children. Support Robot Talk on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    36 min
  3. Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray

    JAN 30

    Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray

    Claire chatted to Mark Gray from Universal Robots about their lightweight robotic arms that work alongside humans. Mark Gray has worked in automation for the last 30 years, first involved in machine vision and robotics and finally collaborative robots or cobots. As country manager, Mark was the first person to work for Universal Robots in the UK and has carried out projects with many research institutes such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the National Robotarium, and Bristol Robotics Lab. Join the Robot Talk community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    27 min
  4. Our relationship with robot swarms - Razanne Abu-Aisheh

    JAN 23

    Our relationship with robot swarms - Razanne Abu-Aisheh

    Claire chatted to Razanne Abu-Aisheh from the University of Bristol about how people feel about interacting with robot swarms. Razanne Abu-Aisheh is a Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Sociodigital Futures at the University of Bristol. Her work explores how people interact with robot swarms, with a focus on how collective robot behaviours influence human perception. In her current research, she collaborates with communities to imagine more inclusive and meaningful futures with robotics, working towards community-centred design. Her broader interests include bringing robot swarms into real-world settings and designing them with people in mind. Support Robot Talk on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    24 min
  5. Robot balance and agility - Amir Patel

    JAN 16

    Robot balance and agility - Amir Patel

    Claire chatted to Amir Patel from University College London about designing robots with the agility and manoeuvrability of a cheetah. Amir Patel is an Associate Professor of Robotics & AI in the Department of Computer Science at University College London (UCL). His research uses robotics methods—sensor fusion, computer vision, mechanical modelling, and optimal control—to understand and quantify animal locomotion, especially high-speed predators such as the cheetah, and to translate these insights into bio-inspired machines. Previously, he served on the faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, where he founded and directed the African Robotics Unit (ARU). Join the Robot Talk community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    22 min
  6. Advanced robot hearing - Christine Evers

    JAN 9

    Advanced robot hearing - Christine Evers

    Claire chatted to Christine Evers from the University of Southampton about helping robots understand the world around them through sound. Christine Evers is an Associate Professor in Computer Science and Director of the Centre for Robotics at the University of Southampton. Her research pushes the boundaries of machine listening, enabling robots to make sense of life in sound. Her current focus is embedding our understanding of the human auditory process into deep-learning audio architectures. This bio-inspired approach moves away from massive, internet-scale models toward compute-efficient and inherently interpretable systems - opening the door to a new generation of embodied auditory intelligence. Join the Robot Talk community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    28 min
  7. Robots in the environment - Stefano Mintchev

    2025-12-19

    Robots in the environment - Stefano Mintchev

    Claire chatted to Stefano Mintchev from ETH Zürich about robots to explore and monitor the natural environment. Stefano Mintchev is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Robotics at ETH Zürich in Switzerland. He has a Ph.D. in Bioinspired Robotics from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Italy, and conducted postdoctoral research at EPFL in Switzerland, focused on bioinspired design principles for versatile aerial robots. At ETH Zürich, Stefano leads a research group working at the intersection of robotics and environmental science, developing robust and scalable bioinspired robotic technologies for monitoring and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Support Robot Talk on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    30 min
  8. Getting two-legged robots moving - Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi

    2025-12-12

    Getting two-legged robots moving - Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi

    Claire chatted to Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi from Ohio Northern University about bipedal robots that can walk and even climb stairs. Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi (Wami) is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ohio Northern University. Her research focuses on controls with applications in bipedal locomotion and engineering education. She is the first Black woman to receive a PhD in Robotics at the University of Michigan. During her Ph.D., she developed the Biped Bootcamp technical document, which she is transforming into an undergraduate curriculum —introducing students to bipedal robotics while providing advanced coursework for juniors and seniors. Join the Robot Talk community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ClaireAsher

    30 min
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About

Join us each week as we explore the exciting world of robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines. Each episode, Dr Claire Asher — science communicator and robot enthusiast — chats with roboticists from around the world to find out how their cutting-edge research is influencing the future of every aspect of science, technology, and engineering, from the mundane to the extraordinary.

Information

  • Creator
    Robot Talk
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    148
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Robot Talk

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