The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Time to meet robot Ameca
Ahumanoid robot described as the most advanced in the world will be showcased in Scotland. The National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) based at Heriot-Watt University in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, has purchased the robot, named Ameca, from Engineered Arts.
Ameca is described as able “to interact with people in a natural and engaging way”, with facial expressions including “playful” and “pondering”.
The acquisition is a bid to “demystify complex technologies and foster a greater understanding of the potential benefits of robotics” and AI.
The robot has embedded microphones, cameras, facial recognition software and articulated motorised components.
The National Robotarium hopes to break down barriers and build trust between humans and robots by exhibiting Ameca in schools and workshops to provide opportunities for people of all ages to interact directly with the robot and learn about the latest advancements in robotics and AI.
The robotarium aims to introduce Ameca as part of its public engagement initiatives by summer.
The facility is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4m from the Scottish Government in a bid to turn Edinburgh into the data capital of Europe.
Researchers will also use Ameca to study public perceptions and attitudes towards humanoid robots, gathering valuable insights to inform the development of future technologies that prioritise trust, transparency and user-friendliness.
Chief operating officer at the National Robotarium, Steve Maclaren, said: “By giving people the chance to interact with this state-ofthe-art humanoid robot first hand, we aim to demystify robotics, foster trust in human-robot interaction, and showcase the remarkable potential of these technologies to improve our daily lives and benefit society as a whole.”
Founder and chief executive of Engineered Arts Ltd Will Jackson said: “Meeting an AI-embodied humanoid robot is a unique experience that very few people have witnessed and we are very excited to be able to share what can be a profound moment with a wider audience.”