Academy reports related to the event:
Safety and ethics of autonomous systems
Strategic advantage through science and technology: the engineering view
Join us for a fascinating talk as our panel of experts delve into robotics and autonomous systems.
During the discussion, the panel will consider the problems that AI can solve and explain the anticipated applications of this emerging technology. They will also question the problems that come with developing robots – for instance, can we trust them?
There will be a chance to ask the panellists your questions, so register above to join this engaging chat, either in the live audience at the University of York, or online.
Hosted by the writer, broadcaster and comedian, Timandra Harkness. She has written for newspapers and magazines including the Daily Telegraph and WIRED. She is the author of the book Big Data: Does Size Matter?
Speakers:
- Professor Ana Cavalcanti, University of York, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies in Software Engineering for Robotics: modelling, validation, simulation, and testing
- Professor Michael Fisher, University of Manchester, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies in Responsible Autonomous Systems
- Professor Danail Stoyanov, University College London, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies in Robotic Actuated Imaging Skins
- Professor Jonathan Rossiter, University of Bristol, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies in Smart Materials and Mechanisms for Ubiquitous Soft Robotics.
Professor Ana Cavalcanti
Ana Cavalcanti is a Professor at the University of York, and a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies. She is the leader of the RoboStar centre of excellence on software engineering for robotics. The RoboStar approach to model-based software engineering complements current design and verification practices for mobile and autonomous robots, covering simulation, testing, and proof. The RoboStar approach is practical, supported by tools, and yet mathematically rigorous so that it can provide reliable evidence of trustworthiness.
Professor Michael Fisher
Professor Fisher’s research focuses on developing formal verification techniques to uncover and understand why a robot might make a particular choice. His techniques take a new approach to constructing autonomous systems. They capture and analyse key decision making in software, to provide formal proof that an autonomous system will always make the safest and most ethical decisions.
Professor Jonathan Rossiter
Professor Rossiter's research focuses on a new electro-origami artificial muscle technology that can lift 1000 times its own weight. In addition, Professor Rossiter has demonstrated the technologies underlying the soft robotic Right Trousers, garments which will help elderly people and people with disabilities move more freely and maintain their independence. These have been reported widely, including on BBC News, and were exhibited at the British Science Festival. Professor Rossiter will develop the Right Trousers technologies into wearable assistive and rehabilitative clothing for physiotherapy and self-guided physical recovery at home.
Professor Danail Stoyanov
Professor Stoyanov will develop robotic surface structures with embedded sensors that can adapt their shape and size using artificial intelligence algorithms to control and interpret sensory information. Using this data, Professor Stoyanov’s new systems will help to enhance imaging during minimally invasive surgery. They will enable safer and more precise procedures to treat diseases across different anatomical regions.
Timandra Harkness
Timandra Harkness is a science writer, broadcaster and comedian. She regularly writes and presents on BBC Radio 4, including in documentaries such as Data, Data Everywhere and podcast FutureProofing. She’s also written for publications including the Telegraph, Guardian, Sunday Times, Evening Standard and WIRED. Timandra has performed maths standup comedy and written a book, Big Data: does size matter?, on how data is changing the world, and its shortcomings from politics, to health, to smart cities.