IPAB Workshop-12/10/2023

Title:  Pets, Balloons, and Traps: Creativity in Robotics

Abstract:  Three unrelated problem domains will be introduced in order to substantiate the three following questions: (i) Can reinforcement leaning produce a personality for a pet robot? (ii) Is there any use of granular matter in robotics beyond universal jamming grippers? (iii) Can robots help to rescue a person from an underground trap? Easy answers to each of these questions (e.g. “yes”, “not really”, “not sure”) do not do justice to the challenges of the respective problems, and could even impede innovative and creative solutions. The workshop will take a different form than usual as audience participation is expected: You are invited to engage in a group discussion on one of the questions. The goals of the workshop are to draw attention to fascinating interdisciplinary subjects, to contribute to ongoing discussions on the impact of robotics, as well as to boost your creativity. A background in robotics is not required for an active participation.