New online meeting point for Europe’s robotics community
When you think of a robot, what do you see? Is it the helpful and lovable C-3PO or R2-D2 robots from Star Wars? Perhaps it is a real-life Robocop on the police force? Maybe it is a future where robots can be bad like in the Terminator? Robotics technology impacts every aspect of work and home. It has the potential to positively transform lives and work practices, raise efficiency and safety levels, and provide enhanced levels of service. Whatever the case, the EU-funded Robotics4EU project is providing us with a bold glimpse into what the robots of the future could look like. The aim is to increase adoption of AI-based robots in society, particularly in the areas of healthcare, industrial maintenance and infrastructure, agri-food and agile production. This 3-year project is composed of seven organisations from six European countries. To create and empower an EU-wide responsible robotics community, the project is behind the Responsible Robotics Knowledge Hub, or Robospot. It was launched by the European Commission to explore the non-technical aspects of robotics that impact our daily lives.
One-stop robotics shop
According to a recent news item posted on ‘Robotics and Automation News’ announcing the hub, the topics of robotics are transversal to all audiences, from researchers and educators to decision-makers and curious citizens. The solutions presented in this area concern the whole of society. Free and open to anyone upon registration, the hub focuses on non-specialist features of robotics, such as ethics. It is also possible for users to search for a community of projects, organisations and individuals working towards making robotics more responsible.
Connect, discuss and network
Building networks is also possible. Users can set up networks on topics that interest them, discuss with experts and check open resources on the subject. All registered users can navigate through the platform areas and add their contributions. This information will enrich our robotics community. The hub is also an opportunity to promote events. A video published by Robotics4EU (Robotics with and for Society – Boosting Widespread Adoption of Robotics in Europe) on its website notes that the hub is open to all – from industry stakeholders to the general public. The hub’s overall design is partially based on the findings of a 2021 survey carried out in 15 countries. Based on the findings, the top concerns affecting robotics uptake are technological unemployment, safety (ethics), surveillance (data), harmonised regulation (legal) and the lack of education. The project ends in December 2023. For more information, please see: Robotics4EU project website
Keywords
Robotics4EU, robot, robotics, Responsible Robotics Knowledge Hub, Robospot, society