‘Humanoid’ robots are the future, pupils are told

Robots have long been touted as the solution to a lot of mankind’s problems and yesterday scientists were just as optimistic about what the future might hold.

Pupils aged 11 and 12 from Horizon Community College in Barnsley met world-renowned ‘roboticists’ at Sheffield University.

The practical event was hosted by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro from Osaka University in Japan and Professor Adrian Cheok from City University in London.

Professor Ishiguro’s laboratory developed Geminoid, a robot with lifelike appearance including facial movements.

Pupils took part in a demonstration of ‘humanoid robots’ developed by Professor Ishiguro and had the opportunity to develop and programme their own Lego robot.

They also learned about the history of robots and how they can be programmed to learn and behave in a human-like way.

The workshop event was hosted by Sheffield Centre for Robotics as part of its outreach activities.