UBC Introduces Kiwibot Robots as Student Ambassadors for New Term

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has launched a unique pilot project featuring three robotic ambassadors designed to assist students as they begin the new academic year. The Kiwibot robots, named Grey, Kelly, and Robson, made their debut on September 3, 2023, at the UBC bookstore, marking a significant step in integrating robotics into educational environments.

Robotic Ambassadors Enhance Student Experience

These robots are not merely gadgets; they are intended to facilitate student interactions and provide a welcoming atmosphere. Kelly is designated to answer student inquiries, while Grey and Robson distribute treats to greet newcomers. Students can engage with the robots by pressing a button on their lids and speaking directly to them. This approach allows for a seamless and interactive experience as students adjust to university life.

According to the university’s news release, the Kiwibots will be on campus for a four-week trial period. Their capabilities are expected to evolve over time as they gather data on student interactions. Each robot navigates the campus using sensors to detect movement and obstacles, while built-in cameras analyze human interactions. Importantly, the robots do not capture identifiable human features, ensuring privacy, as the images they process are not recorded.

Collaboration with Rogers 5G Testbed

The Kiwibots are powered by the Rogers 5G testbed, which provides the necessary connectivity for their operations. Raymond Chau, program manager for the Rogers UBC Collaborative Research and Innovation Partnership, emphasized the project’s broader objectives. “The goal is to study how students interact with the robots and build a dataset on human-robot interaction, emotion recognition, and real-time AI learning for possible future industry collaborations,” Chau stated.

Prior to their deployment, the robots underwent a two-week educational period to familiarize themselves with UBC and its environment. This innovative approach positions the robots as both assistants and learners, adapting to the needs of the student body.

The introduction of Grey, Kelly, and Robson at UBC represents a pioneering effort in the integration of robotics within the academic sphere. As the university continues to explore the potential of technology in enhancing the student experience, the insights gained from this pilot project could inform future applications of robotics in education and beyond.