Social training for robots
The researchers use machine learning to improve the robots understanding of people they´re working with. Photo: Daniel Olsson
VIDEO. How should robots be designed in order to serve as teachers and personal assistants or to support healthcare personnel? At the Uppsala Social Robotics Lab, researchers are working to design and develop robots that can interact socially with humans.
Applications whereby robots interact with humans are on the rise. New roles are emerging in which robots provide not only physical but also social support to people.
“Imagine robots serving as tutors for children in a classroom, as personal assistants or supporting healthcare personnel,” says Ginevra Castellano, Professor in Intelligent Interactive Systems.
She leads a research group at Uppsala University focusing on the interaction between robots and humans.
In one project, robots are used in healthcare to guide and motivate people towards a healthy lifestyle and to help prevent diabetes.
“We investigate how machine learning can be used to improve what the robots understand about the people they’re working with,” explains Katie Winkle, Assistant Professor in Social Robotics.
“We´re also interested in how humans can teach robots what to do so that they can be the best possible companions or apprentices.”
Annica Hulth