RoboCity: Capture the Imagination for
Public Awareness of RobotsINTRODUCTION:
After the recent advancement of AI and robotics technology, intelligent robots are almost ready to serve us in our home, hospital, office and everywhere. These robots are mobile, autonomous, and intelligent. They will play an important role in our daily life. However, “Is the public ready for such robot invasion?” Our answer is no since not enough education and publicity have been done until now. Therefore, we have envisaged the importance of capturing the public imagination. We propose an ambitious project, namely “RoboCity in County Hall” in which many intelligent robots will be built for the public to access in County Hall, Central London. The project aims at promoting public understanding of science and technology. It is the world number one of such kind, and will last a number of years.
OBJECTIVE:
This project is to design a robotic guide and a robotic fish world, funded by the London Aquarium Limited. The research will be carried out in 36 months, starting from 1 October 2002. The research at this phase aims to create an interactive robotic environment for attracting public attention and allowing public audiences to program robotic guide at different levels and communicate with robotic fishes. It will be designed and researched by Prof. Hu and his research team at the University of Essex. The actual construction and implementation will be in the London County Hall.
RESEARCH GRANTS
£150,000 – “RoboCity: Capturing the Imagination for the public awareness of robots”, funded by London Aquarium Limited, 01/10/2002 – 31/03/2006
£250,000 – “Biologically inspired Robotic fish”, funded by the London Aquarium Limited, 01/10/2003 – 31/07/2006
£380,000 - “Team formation of a school of Robotic fish”, funded by the County Hall Aquarium Limited, 01/08/2006 – 31/07/2008
RESEARCH PLAN
The Robotic Guide
Internal
design of the robotic guide arena, including interactive display and
multimedia facilities
Development of demonstration programs such as singing, dancing, answering questions.
Design
of an interactive multimedia system for public to see what guide robots see
and how they react accordingly.
Design
of an interactive computer software for public to interact with guide
robots.
The
Robotic Fish World
Internal
design of the robotic fish world, including interactive
display and multimedia facilities.
Design
a robotic fish prototype that is expected to swim continuously in the fish
world.
Design
of an interactive multimedia system for the public to access remotely via
the Internet.
Design of an interactive computer software for the public to communicate with the advanced robotic fish through conversation and gesture.
TEAM MEMBERS:
For further Information, please email: hhu@essex.ac.uk