Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire are taking robots out of the laboratory and bringing them into a house in Hatfield to develop them as personal companions.

The “robot house” will be open to the media on 27 May and will be launched to the public in early June.

Kerstin Dautenhahn and her team at the University’s School of Computer Science plan to use the house to showcase the work they are doing to advance the relationship between robots and humans. Their research is part of the European project LIREC, which stands for “Living with Robots and Interactive Companions.”

Different robots with mechanical and/or humanoid features will be featured at the house. The research team will also explain how they are investigating how people can interact with robots of different appearances and behaviour, and how a robotic “mind” can migrate to other robots or computer devices.

The team will also discuss how interactive and more “toy-like” robots can be used to enhance remote human-to-human communication via the Internet.

The aim of this research is to develop companion robots that can not only serve as useful assistants in the home but that also behave in a manner that is socially acceptable and comfortable to its users.

Tags: robotics