10 movies demonstrating the changing role of robots
Whether they're being punished, moulding pottery or constructing pavilions, robots are more like humans than ever before. We've selected 10 short movies from our latest Facebook video series that prove it.
Despite being completely innocent, this robotic arm is being forced to write lines promising not to commit future crimes against humans, in an installation exploring the looming threat of automation.
Find out more about The Punishment ›
Humanmade by Charlotte Nordmoen
Could robots replace human labourers? Charlotte Nordmoen posed this question with a robotic potter that features a silicone finger for shaping clay.
Find out more about Humanmade ›
A robot 3D-printed this intricate chair using a continuous line of melted plastic. A team from The Bartlett Design Computation Lab created the software to open up new possibilities for 3D printing.
Find out more about Voxel Chair ›
Ori by MIT Media Lab and Yves Béhar
Responding to the growing interest in micro homes, MIT Media Lab partnered with designer Yves Béhar to create a robotic furniture system that can reconfigure itself to fit the needs of residents in tiny spaces.
A team at Harvard have developed a soft-bodied robot shaped like a cartoon octopus. It can move by itself thanks to a hydrogen-peroxide reaction that occurs inside its silicone body.
ICD ITKE Research Pavilion 2016/7 by University of Stuttgart
Drones assisted robots in the construction of this carbon-fibre pavilion, designed by researchers and students from the University of Stuttgart to resemble silk hammocks spun by moth larvae.
Find out more about ICD ITKE Research Pavilion 2016/7 ›
In an attempt to liberate pet fish, Dutch design collective Studio Diip added robotic wheels and sensors to an aquarium tank, enabling its inhabitant to drive itself around by swimming in a certain direction.
Find out more about Fish on Wheels ›
Piaggio has developed a personal droid that can follow its owner while carrying shopping. But it can also perform deliveries and pick-ups autonomously.
This bird-like robot walks on two legs and has hip joints that allow it to move with similar flexibility to humans. It was designed by Agility Robotics to deliver aid to disaster areas.
This robotic pillow could replace a significant other and combat sleepless nights by gently "breathing" in and out as users hold it close. It can also play soothing music through built-in Bluetooth speakers and emit gradually increasing light to simulate a sunrise.