The 2006 Lectures in Computer Science: Robots Intelligently Interacting With People

Robots are systems that sense, think and act. Earlier robotic arms found their way onto the factory floor to pick, transfer and manipulate objects for such tasks as assembly or welding. Then autonomous systems with mobility were developed for transportation, hazardous environments, and exploration. More recently, robots have begun to interact with people; small toy robots that entertain and comfort, humanoids that greet and converse, and nursing robots that assist and monitor.

This lecture series, by world-class active researchers, will cover the theories, technologies, and applications of these recent exciting developments in robotics. Takeo Kanade will give an overview of the past, present and future of robotics – where one can find the fun and excitement of robotics research. James Kuffner will explore the challenges of motion autonomy for robotics and discuss state-of-the-art in planning robot motions. Panos Trahanias will present how a robot uses vision to determine its location and to understand gestures for communicating with humans. Hiro Hirukawa will talk on humanoid control: how a humanoid can walk, lie down, crawl, get up, and go up stairs, as well as performing laboring tasks such as two humanoids collaboratively moving a big object. Henrik Christensen will discuss the challenge of making robots more cognitive than they are today, and investigate an ambitious vision of a highly competent robot/human companion by combining different capabilities from AI and Cognitive Science in a coherent manner. Maja Mataric will focus on socially assistive robotics that help people in hospitals, managed-care facilities, schools, and homes in the most natural, useful and effective manner.