News archive for February 2018 | Edinburgh Centre for Robotics

Lord Henley visits Edinburgh Centre for Robotics

Submitted by ls234 on Wed, 21/02/2018 - 10:36

A prominent UK Government Minister visited Heriot-Watt University today, to find out more about cutting-edge robotics research.

Lord Henley toured the Ocean Systems and Human Robot Interaction labs to hear more about innovative work which goes on at the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.

During the event, the Minister met with academics and was given demonstrations of underwater robots, which are used in extreme environments.

ECR team represents UK in global Amazon competition

Submitted by ls234 on Fri, 16/02/2018 - 11:59

Heriot-Watt University’s reputation for AI and robotics has been bolstered after it was selected as the UK’s only entrant in this year’s $3.5 million Amazon Alexa Prize.

A seven-strong group of PhD students – named Team Alana - will once again go head-to-head with universities from around the world to develop an artificial intelligence software that can understand and respond to human conversation.

Distinguished Lecture welcomes Professor David Lane

Submitted by ls234 on Fri, 16/02/2018 - 11:00

Heriot-Watt University Dubai welcomed Professor David Lane to the annual Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Lecture. The prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Lectures invite global leaders of industry, business and academia to share their knowledge and vision with students, colleagues and guests.

Professor Lane FREng FRSE CBE, Founding Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, discussed some of the exciting advances underway in research and innovation, as well as recent successes in commercialisation and international challenge competitions.

International contest reveals assisted living robots of the future

Submitted by ls234 on Thu, 01/02/2018 - 12:00

Europe’s most advanced assisted living robots were showcased in an international tournament at Heriot-Watt University, this week.

Academic teams from across the continent battled it out in the European Robotics League Service Robot Challenge (ERL), testing robots which aim to assist older people in a care setting.

The competition took place in the University’s custom built 60 square metre real life living laboratory, with researchers testing robots which could revolutionise the healthcare and social care sectors.