Join the DMC and Sheffield Digital on Thursday 30th March 2017 from 5.30pm to find out about some of the exciting developments in robotics and AI and how it may apply to you and your business.

The DMC has teamed up with Sheffield Digital to produce a series of three events looking at some of the latest developments in tech in our region. We'll be inviting speakers from local companies and institutions to bring us up-to-date on their work and how their products are being used.

At this event, Dr Iveta Eimontaite from Sheffield Robotics will be talking about the interaction between humans and robots, particularly with reference to humans working with robots in industry. A key area of interest for her is how that collaboration can be made nicer for humans. Iveta will also bring one of Sheffield Robotic’s therapy robots so that people can experience some interaction for themselves.

Humans aren’t just working interacting with robots in the physical environment – software-based chatbots are answering our questions and helping us with online transactions. Or are they? Cam, Mark and Jon from Paper, a Sheffield research and design studio, are coming to talk about a chatbot project they are working on. They have some insights into chatbot pros and cons and what is really involved in building one successfully.

Finally, Dr Charles Fox will introduce us to robots in the field - literally. Agribots. He is the founder of Ibex Automation, which was set up to continue the work of an Innovate UK project to build an extreme mobility autonomous weed spraying system that can operate on rough and hilly terrain. The system is based on bomb disposal robots and uses machine vision, on-board sensors and knowledge from OS maps and satellite images. The company has been working with farmers in rural Barnsley to get this robot in to action.

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in current developments in AI technology from developers and tech entreprenuers through to any business who wants to learn how AI can help them in their business or what the market opportunity is for them.

Drinks and food will be served.

This event has been organised by the DMC, in collaboration with Sheffield Digital, an organisation dedicated to promoting digital industries across the region. It is part of a short series of events to encourage local digital and creative businesses, as well as people interested in the digital industries, to innovate, network and collaborate.