How to make robotics interesting? 

The objective of the CoRI5.0 project is to raise the level of expertise in cognitive robotics by leveraging advanced technologies such as XR technologies. The measures focus on improving human–robot interaction, developing intuitive programming methods, and transferring employee knowledge and working practices to the robot through learning-from-demonstration (model-based learning).  

Centria’s project manager, Saurav Khadka, also aims to develop human–robot collaboration through learning and gamification, with the goal of making the technology understandable and accessible to both regular users and industry professionals. 

During the event of Oivallus on April 23, Khadka made an interesting observation as he presented his idea together with RDI Expert Sami Sarlin working on the project.  They had created together a simple game where people could control a collaborative robot using an Xbox controller. 

– What surprised me was how quickly people from different age groups became interested. Suddenly, controlling a robot felt familiar. The controller was something they already knew beforehand, so the robot no longer felt intimidating, tells Khadka. 

–  How to get people interested in robotics? This is a question Khadka often asks himself when showcasing the results of the projects. 

– That familiarity creates confidence. And confidence makes people more willing to explore, interact, and learn. 

Khadka says that he has learned from this experience something very important and he wants to carry this idea forward in his future work: 

– When introducing a new technology it is important to connect it with something general users already know.