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.
Bonus Episode: Resilient Supply Chains for Robotics (ERF 2026)
In this bonus episode recorded at the European Robotics Forum, Karol Janik and Agata Suar of the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre discuss the urgent need to make Europe’s robotics supply chains more resilient. They trace the problem to recent disruptions—COVID‑19, the Ukraine war, and geopolitical tensions—that exposed Europe’s reliance on overseas components and highlighted gaps in cybersecurity, funding, and standards. The workshop participants identified concrete actions: diversifying suppliers, fostering local production, improving data security, and creating clearer policy and financing pathways to keep European robotics startups from migrating to the US. The conversation underscores the broader goal of building a self‑sufficient, sustainable European robotics ecosystem that can scale and deliver value across industry.
Bonus Episode: Empowering Robotics with 6G (ERF 2026)
In this bonus episode from the European Robotics Forum, a panel of academics and industry leaders discussed how 6G connectivity will empower multipurpose robotics. They highlighted technical gaps such as inefficient multicast, the need for seamless, secure, and AI‑assisted deployment,...
Episode 158: Autonomous Robot Deliveries - Ahti Heinla
In Episode 158, host Claire Asher talks with Ahti Heinla, co‑founder and CEO of Starship Technologies, about the company’s fleet of autonomous delivery robots that have completed over 10 million deliveries across Europe and the United States. Heinla explains how the...
Episode 157: Generating New Robot Designs - Josie Hughes
In this episode, host Claire Asher talks with Josie Hughes, an assistant professor at EPFL and leader of the CREATE Lab, about using AI to generate novel robot hand and manipulator designs. Hughes explains how her team combines large language...
Episode 156: Rugged Robots for Dangerous Missions - Gavin Kenneally
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Gavin Kenneally, CEO and co‑founder of Ghost Robotics, about their rugged quadruped robot, the Vision 60, highlighting its three‑hour walk endurance, IP67 waterproofing, and open, modular architecture that lets users swap legs and payloads...
Episode 154: Visual Navigation in Insects and Robots - Andrew Philippides
In this episode, Professor Andrew Philippides explains how studying the visual learning behaviors of ants and bees—such as learning walks and flights—can inspire efficient navigation algorithms for robots. He outlines a research pipeline that moves from field observations and panoramic...
Episode 153: Origami-Inspired Robots - Chenying Liu
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Oxford junior research fellow Chen Ying Liu about embedding intelligence directly into robot bodies using geometry, origami-inspired structures, and unconventional materials. Liu explains how mechanical bifurcation lets a two‑motor gripper achieve eight grasping...
Episode 152: Dexterous Robot Hands - Rich Walker
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Rich Walker, director of Shadow Robot, about the evolution and current state of dexterous robot hands. Walker recounts the company's humble origins, their flagship anthropomorphic Shadow Hand, and the newer, robust non‑human hand...
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...
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...