TU Dublin and Atlantic Technological University Partner to Advance Human-Robot Collaboration

Published: 27 Mar, 2025

Dr Maria Chiara Leva (TU Dublin Project Team Co-Lead) and Dr Ammar Abbas, Dr Nobel John Williams, Dr Pearse Browne, Dr John McGrory and Dr Brian Vaughn at TU Dublin in Grangegorman and  Bolton Street Campus, in collaboration with Dr Philip Long and his team in Atlantic Technological University are pioneering advancements in Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) through an innovative study on Learning from Demonstration (LfD). The research, conducted for the ROBOMATE project as part of the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Future Digital Challenge / National Challenge Fund, seeks to refine robotic learning processes, enhancing adaptability and usability in real-world applications across manufacturing, healthcare, and safety-critical environments.

Revolutionising Robot Learning

The study aims to improve how robots learn from human demonstrations by evaluating key factors, including:

  • Speed & Timing – Measuring the efficiency of robotic task replication.
  • Smoothness & Control – Assessing movement precision and fluidity.
  • Accuracy & Path Following – Ensuring robots precisely follow human-demonstrated trajectories.
  • Ergonomic & Postural Impact – Studying user posture and comfort during interactions.

By incorporating human feedback into the learning process, researchers hope to create AI-driven robots that can learn faster, adapt efficiently, and operate safely in collaborative workspaces.

Bridging the Gap Between Humans and Robots

Human-in-the-loop learning is becoming increasingly significant in AI and robotics, allowing machines to acquire skills dynamically instead of relying solely on pre-programmed instructions. Insights from this study will contribute to developing intuitive, user-friendly robotic systems capable of seamlessly integrating into human-centric environments.

Call for Participation

The research team is inviting students, researchers, and industry professionals to participate in hands-on demonstrations with the robotic system. No prior robotics experience is necessary.

Location: TU Dublin, Bolton Street Campus

Sign-Up Link: https://form.jotform.com/250844119249056

Contact: nobel.johnwilliam@tudublin.ie

This initiative aligns with TU Dublin’s commitment to advancing human-centred AI and robotics, ensuring that future automation technologies are both efficient and safe for human collaboration. By fostering innovation in robotic learning, this research represents a significant step toward more intuitive and adaptable human-robot partnerships.