Sociable Robots

Today’s Big Picture Blog from the Boston Globe features robots and the many ways they are improving the quality of life for humans.

From Big Picture Blog:

(Twendy-One demonstrates its ability to hold delicate objects by manipulating a drinking straw between its fingers at the Department of Mechanical Engineering laboratory in Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. The sophisticated robot has been developed by the university’s team, led by Dr. Shigeki Sugano, in hope of supporting people in aging societies. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi))

“Robotic systems continue to evolve, slowly penetrating many areas of our lives, from manufacturing, medicine and remote exploration to entertainment, security and personal assistance. Developers in Japan are currently building robots to assist the elderly, while NASA develops the next generation of space explorers, and artists are exploring new avenues of entertainment. Collected here are a handful of images of our recent robotic past, and perhaps a glimpse into the near future.“

Take a peek at the blog, then stop by the Cambridge Center for Adult Education this evening for a glimpse into the world of Sociable Robots with Mikey Siegel from the Personal Robotics Group at the MIT Media Lab.

The lecture tonight begins at 8 pm at 56 Brattle Street, our Blacksmith House facility.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.  Get there early – seats are going fast!  See you there!