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 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 how lightweight cobots are being deployed in research hubs like the AMRC, MTC, National Robotarium, and Bristol Robotics Lab to boost flexibility and productivity. He explains the technical advances that enable safe human‑robot interaction and offers practical examples of how companies are integrating cobots into existing workflows. The conversation underscores the growing accessibility of robotics for small‑to‑medium enterprises and the broader manufacturing ecosystem.
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,...