Keynote
In person
LeadersGoldDiscovery

Robots for living with us, not above us

  • Date
    10 July 2026
    Timeframe
    11:00 - 11:15
    Duration
    15 minutes
    • Days
      Hours
      Min
      Sec

    The dominant narrative in robotics has focused on building increasingly powerful machines, i.e. systems capable of superhuman precision, continuous operation, and high performance. While these advances promise efficiency and productivity, they often overlook the human dimension of technology. In this talk, I argue for a shift in perspective: from designing robots that outperform humans to creating robots that accompany and support us in shaping desirable futures, collaboratively and equitably.

    By adopting user-centered and participatory design approaches, we can uncover new spaces for robot integration that move beyond performance-driven applications. Engaging real users in real-world contexts allows us to identify meaningful opportunities where robots provide support when it is genuinely needed, rather than imposed by technological capabilities alone. This process also reveals potential uses that might otherwise remain unexplored or even unimagined at the outset.

    I will present a participatory methodology for the design and development of interactive robotic systems, grounded in human needs and experiences. The talk concludes with a demonstration of a simple, small-scale robot with basic interactive capabilities, inviting reflection on a key question: what could we do together?

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