Robot Talk
A monthly podcast exploring the exciting world of robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines. Host Dr. Claire Asher chats with robotics scientists around the world to learn how cutting-edge research is influencing the future of technology.
Episode 151: Robots to Study the Ocean - Simona Aracri
In this episode, host Claire Asher talks with Simona Aracri of Italy's National Research Council about cutting‑edge robots designed for extreme oceanic environments—from polar seas to glacial lakes. Aracri explains how their interdisciplinary team merges marine engineering and physical oceanography to build lightweight, modular platforms that can be backpack‑carried, incorporate soft‑robotic end‑effectors for delicate sampling, and record both environmental data (temperature, salinity, pH, etc.) and robot performance metrics for repeatable science. She also discusses navigation technologies like Ultra‑Short Baseline acoustic positioning and strategies to minimize ecological impact, such as low‑noise propellers and careful sonar use. The conversation highlights the rapid climate‑change signals observable in places like the Mediterranean and glacier lakes, underscoring the urgency of deploying these autonomous observatories.
Episode 150: House Building Robots - Vikas Enti
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Vikas Enti, co‑founder and CEO of Reframe Systems, about how their robotic micro‑factory platform enables mass‑customized, climate‑resilient homes. Enti explains the end‑to‑end workflow—from site analysis and automated design to robot‑guided panel fabrication and...
Bonus Episode: The Future of Home Assistant Robots
In this bonus episode, a panel of four academic experts discusses the emerging role of home assistant robots, covering applications from daily chores and rehabilitation to companionship. They highlight research on user‑centered design, such as the Robot House testbed, robots...
Episode 147: Miniature Living Robots - Maria Guix
In this episode, host Claire Asher talks with Maria Guix, a senior researcher at the University of Barcelona, about bio‑hybrid robotics that combine living cells—such as muscle tissue or sperm—with synthetic scaffolds to create miniature robots. Guix explains how these...
Episode 146: Embodied AI on the ISS - Jamie Palmer
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Jamie Palmer, co‑founder and CTO of Icarus Robotics, about developing free‑flying, dexterous robots to assist astronauts on the ISS and future commercial stations. Palmer explains how the robots—essentially microgravity drones with manipulators—are being...
Episode 145: Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing - Agata Suwala
In this episode, Claire interviews Agata Suwala, Technology Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, about how robotics and automation are being used to make manufacturing—especially in aerospace—more sustainable and scalable. Agata explains the latest advances in robotic dexterity, the role...
Episode 143: Robots for Children - Elmira Yadollahi
In this episode, Claire talks with Elmira Yadollahi, an assistant professor at Lancaster University, about how children engage with robots and the unique challenges this presents. They explore key themes such as managing children’s expectations, building trust, and fostering AI...
Episode 142: Collaborative Robot Arms - Mark Gray
In this episode, Claire interviews Mark Gray, the UK country manager for Universal Robots, about the rise of collaborative robot arms, or cobots, that can safely work side‑by‑side with humans. Mark shares insights from his three decades in automation, highlighting...
Episode 140: Robot Balance and Agility - Amir Patel
In this episode, Claire interviews Associate Professor Amir Patel about his work replicating the cheetah's speed and agility in robotic systems. Patel explains how sensor fusion, computer vision, mechanical modeling, and optimal control are combined to study high‑speed animal locomotion...
Episode 139: Advanced Robot Hearing - Christine Evers
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Associate Professor Christine Evers about how robots can interpret their environment using sound, focusing on bio‑inspired machine listening that mirrors human auditory processing. Evers explains her work on integrating auditory neuroscience insights into...
Episode 138: Robots in the Environment - Stefano Mintchev
In this episode, Claire interviews Stefano Mintchev, an assistant professor at ETH Zürich, about his work developing bio‑inspired robots for environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management. They discuss how these robots can navigate challenging natural terrains, collect high‑resolution data, and...
Episode 137: Getting Two-Legged Robots Moving - Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi
In this episode, Dr. Claire Asher interviews Assistant Professor Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi about her pioneering work in bipedal robotics, covering how two‑legged robots achieve stable walking and stair‑climbing through advanced control algorithms. Oluwami explains the development of the Biped Bootcamp curriculum,...
