Robot Day 2023 offered a showcase of the latest AI tech in Coventry

Hundreds of visitors flocked to Coventry College for Robot Day 2023, the first event of its kind in four years. The event was created by Stephen Powley, a PhD candidate at Coventry University, and Derrick Willer, an MBE for services to education in 2018. The goal of the event was to inspire and educate young people and influential individuals in their lives about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Exhibitors from University College London showcased an artificial intelligence (AI) driving simulator and OhBot, a robot head that uses AI to interact with humans. Interactive activities included learning to dance like a robot with Flux Moving Science. There were also lectures on the ethics of self-driving vehicles and the use of ‘soft-robotics’ in advanced healthcare to replicate the sensation of human touch.

Stephen and Derrick praised the team of 180 volunteers for supporting visitors and exhibitors throughout the day, with support from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Imagineering Foundation. They now plan to build an outreach programme in Coventry and surrounding areas, with an annual Robot Day event as its focal point.

Speaking about the success of the event, Stephen said, “We were joined by both familiar and new faces, from schools and academics to industry leaders, and it was incredibly rewarding to see so many people of all ages getting hands-on with some truly exciting creations. I know that many will be inspired to pursue careers in STEAM.”

Derrick added, “The event would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful committee, partners and volunteers…We hope to build on the success of this year’s event by coming back bigger and better than ever in 2024.”

_{Photo by Hung Nguyen Phi on Unsplash}