‘World’s most advanced robot’ to be exhibited in Scotland
humanoid 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.
A me ca is described as able“to interact with people in a natural and engaging way”, and facial expressions include “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 articulatedmotorised components.
The National Robotarium hopes to break down barriers and build trust between human sand robots by exhibit in game ca 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 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 futuretechnologies that prioritise trust,t ran sa parency and user-friendliness.
Steve Maclaren, chief operating officer at the National Robotarium, said: “The arrival of a me ca at the national robot ariu mm ark sa significant step forward in our mission to make robotics more accessible and relatable to the people of Scotland, the UK and beyond.
“Since opening our doors in September 2022, we’ve hosted more than 100 in-person and virtual events and engaged thousands of school-aged children. Ameca represents an exciting opportunity to build on that success. By giving people the chance to interact with this state-of-the-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.”