Blog

Humans and/or Robots at ATR

We talk about the people at ATR and the robots they created.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | Youtube Music | RSS

The Advanced Telecommunication Research Institute International in Japan is a major contributor to Human-Robot Interaction. I interview Takayuki Kanda, Michita Imai and Dylan F. Glas about their work on robots at ATR. How was Robovie developed and what is the goal of the Erika android? In two episodes we will have a closer look at the people working at ATR and the robots they created. We will also discuss what it means to work for a research lab like ATR in Japan.

ISSN 2703-4054

Supporter:

Furhat is a social robot that communicates with us humans as we do with each other – by speaking, listening, showing emotions and maintaining eye contact. Build interactions and experiences unlike any other with the world’s most advanced social robotics platform. Follow the link in the description to find out more about the Furhat Robotics.

Links:

Ask your librarian

In this episode we discuss the evolving landscape of academic publishing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | Youtube Music | RSS

Publishing scientific papers and books is a difficult task. The arrival of the internet has the potential to dramatically change the business models, but also the review and publishing process. I discussed the changing world of publishing with Anton Angelo, Data Librarian at the University of Canterbury. We discussed Open Access, Print-on-Demand and the changing roles of libraries. We even spotted some dangerous predators in the publishing jungle. And in case of any trouble, always ask you librarian!

ISSN 2703-4054

Conventional Journals for HRI:

Open Access Journals for HRI:

  • Paladyn – Journal of Behavioral Robotics

Problematic Open Access Journals for HRI:

Sex Robots

It is not a question if sex robots will become available but only when.

It is not a question if sex robots will become available but only when. Many companies are working on their development with moderate success. While empirical research on the topic is rare, the ethical implications of sex robots have been discussed passionately. Some want to ban them before they even enter the market while others defend the rights of people to own sex toys. For this episode I interviewed David Levy, Robert Sparrow and Eleanor Hancock.

Transcript

The transcript of the episode is available as a PDF. You can also follow the episode with subtitles through Descript.

HRI-Podcast-Episode-009-Sex-Robots-Transcript

ISSN 2703-4054

Important links:

The ACE Controversy: Sex, Robots, and Politics

This episode tells the story of the infamous ACE2018 conference.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | Youtube Music | RSS

If these are not enough publicity buzz words, then I do not know what is. In this episode we will look at the epic events around the Advances in Computer Entertainment (ACE 2018) conference and the associated Love And Sex With Robots Congress. The conferences had to be cancelled following a backlash from academics around the conferences’ organisation and in particular in response to the invitation of Steve Bannon as a keynote speaker to the ACE conference. I interviewed Adrian Cheok, David Levy and Yorim Chisik about the drama that unfolded last year. Adrian is now running for office in the Australian elections for the right wing Fraser Anning’s Conservative National Party.

ISSN 2703-4054

Important links:

Advise for the young at heart

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | Youtube Music | RSS

Completing a PhD is a major accomplishment but it is only the start of an academic career. A study by The Royal Society found that only 3.5% of students that complete a PhD secure a permanent research position at a university. Of those lucky few, only 12% (or 0.45% of the total) make it to professor level. Those lucky few that make it must surely have some wisdom to share. I asked academics in HRI what advice they would give their younger selves. While talking to Rob Sparrow, Alan Wagner, Mari Velonaki, Guy Hoffman, Kimmo Vanni, Amit Kumar Pandey, and Franziska Kirstein about their careers certain patterns emerged. Perseverance, focus, patience and luck are amongst the factors that influenced their academic careers.

ISSN 2703-4054

Relevant links: