Launch of UK creative robotics research network

Citation

(2005), "Launch of UK creative robotics research network", Industrial Robot, Vol. 32 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2005.04932aab.006

Launch of UK creative robotics research network

Launch of UK creative robotics research network

Keywords: Robotics, United kingdom

From the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the smallest contemporary art gallery, robots and animatronics (the construction of robots to look like people or animals) are playing an increasingly prominent role in the cultural and entertainment industries.

The Creative Robotics Research Network is a new EPSRC funded network for academic researchers, industry representatives and visual and performance arts practitioners working in the areas of robotics, mechatronics and animatronics. The network will be administered by members of the Open University Robotics Outreach Group.

Dr Tony Hirst of the Open University Department of ICT said: “The creative industries are often thought of in terms of film and video, and computer games, as well as more traditional crafts. With the Creative Robotics Research Network, we hope to gain recognition for the robotics and animatronics engineers who play an increasingly important role in this area”.

The network, funded over the next 2 years to the tune of £40,791 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, grant number GR/T21066/01), will support the transfer of knowledge, expertise and personnel between industry, academia and the arts. One important role the network will play is to act as a showcase for the work of network members. Dr Ashley Green, the Open University's RoboFesta Research Fellow, who will be co-ordinating the network's activities, explained: “The network will provide an opportunity for academic researchers to work with sculptors and artists in producing artworks at the cutting edge of technology. Companies working in special effects and animatronics will also be able to call on the wide-ranging skills of the UK's robot research community.”

Educational outreach is another key aim of the network. The Creative Robotics Unit at Magna, in Rotherham, is one example of the use to which robots are increasingly used in museum and science centre settings. Arts Centres too provide a natural home for creative robotics workshops – a robot fashion show at the Quay Arts Centre in Newport, Isle of Wight during London Fashion Week, 2004, attracted a near capacity audience to its single matinee performance. The fashion show, put together by a group of 24 children aged 8-14 during a 3-day robotics workshop, opened with a “Making of the Robot Fashion Show” video produced by the children themselves. As well as building, programming and decorating their robots, and getting them on and off the catwalk in time, the children also managed the stage sound and lighting.

Although only established at the start of September 2004, the network has already scheduled two events.

On 10 November 2004, the CRRN will host its first network meeting in conjunction with the RoboFesta-UK Annual Open Meeting, at the Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. The theme of the meeting – “Creative Robotics” – will provide the UK's first creative robotics showcase.

On 13 April 2005, the network will host a “Robotics, Mechatronics and Animatronics in the Creative and Entertainment Industries and the Arts Symposium”, as part of the AISB 2005 Convention, Hatfield, UK. It is intended that this research symposium will provide a snapshot of work from the world's leading creative robotics researchers, artists and companies.

For further information visit these Web sites:

Creative Robotics research Network Web site: www.creativerobotics.org.uk

RoboFesta – UK Web site: www.robofesta-uk.org

CRRN AISB Symposium Web site: http://crrn.open.ac.uk/aisb/