The Princess Royal meets UCL researchers who are training robots for real-world tasks

Visiting the campus in her role as Chancellor of the University of London, of which UCL is a member institution, the Princess was keen to see how bringing disciplines together in cutting-edge research centres with first-in-the-world degree programmes is driving solutions to global challenges.

Her Royal Highness watched a demonstration by UCL Robotics and Autonomous Systems researchers who are using AI to train robots to help with search and rescue operations in dangerous terrains and to make surgery safer and more precise.

Dimitrios Kanoulas (pictured), Professor in Robotics and AI at UCL Computer Science, spoke to the Princess about the research group’s work.

Professor Kanoulas said, “Robots are increasingly playing a crucial role in challenging environments, from disaster response and search-and-rescue missions to bio-inspired systems that adapt to complex tasks and advanced surgical technologies that enhance patient safety.

Understanding how to design and deploy these intelligent systems effectively is vital - not only for improving human lives but also for ensuring their safe and ethical integration into society.

Her Royal Highness’s interest in our work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in robotics, and we encourage more students, researchers, and industry partners to engage in shaping the future of intelligent machines.”