RoboLoop

Robots are getting smarter, but the real breakthrough is not in making them do everything. It is in teaching them to do one hard thing really well. Mehmet Doğar, Professor of Robotics and AI at the University of Leeds, explains why object manipulation is one of the toughest problems in robotics and why the future may belong to specialized robots, not humanoid generalists.From cluttered fridges to warehouse packing, this conversation reveals why robots still struggle when objects are hidden, partially visible, deformable, or interacting in unpredictable ways. Key Topics: Why perception breaks down in cluttered environmentsWhy today’s physics models are still too slow and too approximate for robot decision-makingHow robots use world models to predict what happens before they push, move, or grasp an objectWhy warehouse packing and online delivery are among the most immediate real-world applicationsWhat current AI hype gets wrong about robots, and where the real opportunity is

Discover cutting-edge developments in bioinspired robotics, with focus on on adaptability, safety, and real-world applications with Professor Zeynep Temel from Carnegie Mellon University. Join us to delve into interdisciplinary research, challenges at small scales, and future directions of robotics.Key TopicsProfessor Temel's research on adaptable robots inspired by biology, including soft robotics and mechanisms mimicking octopus arms and insectsThe role of compliance in robotics for safety and adaptabilityInspiration from nature: bacteria swimming in viscous environments and army ants building bridgesChallenges in miniaturizing robots, such as power, sensors, and manufacturing custom componentsApplications in healthcare, search and rescue, and everyday home interactionsFuture trends: hardware innovation, integration of AI, and preserving human-robot collaboration instead of replacementAdvice for students: stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be shy to reach out

Discover insights into the cutting-edge of medical robotics, from magnetic and soft robots to capsule technology, with Professor Pietro Valdastre of Stormlab Leeds. This episode covers the challenges, innovations, and future of minimally invasive robotic procedures, including cancer detection and AI integration.Key Topics:Pietro Valdastre’s journey from Italy to leading Stormlab in LeedsFocus on medical robotics: magnetic manipulation and soft roboticsCapsule robots: design, miniaturization, and control via magnetic fieldsInnovations in painless colonoscopy and early colorectal cancer detectionChallenges of miniaturization: sensors, motors, and power sourcesHuman trials and regulatory pathways for new robotic platformsThe role of AI and autonomy in future surgical roboticsThe importance of combining hardware and software skills in robotics careersImpact of robotic technologies on patient experience and healthcare efficiency

Discover how tiny, magnetically-guided robots are transforming vascular interventions, making procedures less invasive, safer, and proactive in preventing disease progression. Join us as Dr. Hakan Ceylan shares groundbreaking insights into the future of microrobotics in medicine.Main Topics:The scale and design of medical micro robots, often smaller than a few millimeters and even approaching micron size.How microrobotics mimic microorganisms’ behavior and interact at the molecular level with human tissues.Current applications including vascular interventions, dialysis access management, and brain aneurysm treatment.The advantages of micro robots over traditional invasive procedures, such as reduced tissue damage, time efficiency, and proactive health management.Future potential of micro robotics to deliver preventive therapies and maintain tissue health before damage occurs.The role of AI and robotics as supportive tools for surgeons, enhancing decision-making without replacing human expertise.

Join us in this episode as we delve into the fascinating world of soft and reconfigurable robotics with Dr. Jamie Paik, a leading researcher at EPFL's Reconfigurable Robotics Lab. Discover how nature inspires robotic design, the potential applications in daily life, and the future challenges and opportunities in robotics development.Main Topics Covered:Introduction to Dr. Jamie Paik and her research focus in soft and reconfigurable roboticsThe concept and importance of reconfigurable robots in adapting to different tasks and environmentsHow soft robotics improves safety and compliance in human-robot interactionsInspiration from nature, particularly trap jaw ants, for locomotion modes in modular robotsPractical applications of robotics: from haptic feedback to remote surgery and autonomous supermarketsEthical considerations and potential risks of robots replacing human jobsThe gradual nature of technological breakthroughs and future trends in humanoid and tool-based roboticsAdvice for students and researchers aiming to enter the robotics field

Discover how AI and robotics are creating more human-like interactions and their potential applications in everyday life. In this episode, Professor Hatice Güneş talks about her multidisciplinary work, the importance of emotional and affective intelligence, and her insights into the future of social robots. Perfect for anyone interested in AI, robotics, and how technology can improve well-being and community care.Main topics:What is affective intelligence and how does it enable machines to understand human emotions?The interdisciplinary nature of social robotics, combining psychology, computer science, and social signals.Applications of social robots in healthcare, child well-being assessment, and long-term emotional support.Future directions: adaptive, socially aware robots working alongside humans in various environments.Personal journey: inspiration, spontaneous moments, and advice for students pursuing robotics and AI.

In this episode of Human in the Roboloop, Zehra interviews Professor Erdal Kayacan from Paderborn University, Germany to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions in autonomous systems and AI-powered robotics. They explore how AI is transforming robotics, practical applications for everyday life, and the exciting potential of robotic world models.Main Topics:Intersection of robotics, AI, and autonomous systemsChallenges in integrating AI with robotics, including simulation and data collectionRecent advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and generative AIPractical applications: autonomous driving, search and rescueFuture outlook: robots as human partners, world models, and natural causality understanding

Discover how robotics research is transforming real-world applications—from agriculture and environmental monitoring to home assistance and lab automation. Join Zehra and special guest Professor Volkan İşler for a deep dive into the future of robotics and its impact on daily life.Main Topics Covered:The journey and evolution of robotics research from academia to industryPractical applications of robotics in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and home automationChallenges and opportunities in deploying robots outside laboratoriesFuture trends: subtle integration of robots into daily routines and industriesTips for students interested in entering the robotics field, emphasizing fundamentals and specialization

Most conversations about robotics stay in the industry setting. But what happens when a robot walks into a family's living room, or a hospital ward?In this pilot episode of [human] in the RoboLoop, host Zehra Mutlu sits down with Dr. Bengisu Çağıltay — Assistant Professor at Koç University and a pioneer in social robotics — for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like discovering a new way of thinking about technology.Bengisu takes us from her early days building at LEGO tournaments to her current research bridging engineering and social sciences, and shares how that path shaped her belief that robots shouldn't just work — they should support, connect, and sometimes even heal. We talk about the small, quietly powerful moments her research has uncovered: a robot sparking conversation between family members, or helping a hospitalized child stay close to loved ones from a distance.The conversation moves through real, tangible ground and what it really means to design interaction that amplifies human connection rather than replacing it. Bengisu's vision is refreshingly grounded: technology as a bridge, not a barrier.This episode is for anyone curious about the human side of robotics — students, parents, educators, and innovators alike — who want to understand what it might really look like when technology learns to care.🎧 A conversation about robots, but really, it's a conversation about us. Welcome to the very first episode of Human in the RoboLoop!