A Robot With a Story

Explore the fascinating world of social robots in this 16-minute TEDx talk by Mike Ligthart at TEDxVUAmsterdam. Discover how Hero and Memo, two unique robots, are making a difference in healthcare settings. Learn about Hero's mission to become a robo-olympics champion and how it helps distract children with cancer during stressful hospital moments. Understand Memo's quest to experience the scent of the forest and its ability to evoke forgotten memories from people with dementia. Gain insights into the collaborative process between AI researchers, creative writers, and the individuals interacting with these robots. Reflect on the importance of understanding the human experience in designing meaningful interactions between people and social robots. Examine the limitations of AI and the crucial role that writers play in shaping robot characters and interaction content. Consider the potential of social robots in supporting children in educational and healthcare contexts, and how they can adapt and personalize as children grow up.