For the fourth edition of our series ‘Unlocking the future of research’, we have spoken with Irati Rasines, a PhD student at the University of the Basque Country and our partner Tecnalia, a leading private research and technology organisation in Spain.
Learn about her research, focused on developing solutions for easy Robot Learning from Demonstration and partially funded by HumanTech.
My study focuses on enabling robots to learn from human operators based on a few demonstrations performed via teleoperation.
Robot LfD (Learning from Demonstration) presents a great opportunity to enhance learning efficiency by bridging the gap between human expertise and automated machinery.
Through teleoperation, skilled operators can impart their knowledge directly to robots in real-time, rapidly acquiring complex tasks. This direct transfer of expertise ensures that robots learn from the most experienced sources, providing them with a substantial advantage in terms of skill acquisition and refinement.
Robot LfD in construction: Revolutionising safety protocols
The implications for the construction industry are profound, with robots poised to swiftly adapt to new tasks and scenarios, significantly reducing training times and enhancing project execution. In fact, one of the most compelling aspects of LfD in the industry is its potential to revolutionize safety protocols. By allowing robots to learn from skilled operators, we can delegate potentially hazardous to automated systems, minimizing human exposure to dangerous environments.
“One of the most compelling aspects of Robot LfD (Learning from Demonstration) in construction is its potential to revolutionize safety protocols.”
Balancing a dual role: A PhD and professional career
Sharing a common research line between a PhD and a European project offers a multitude of benefits that synergistically amplify the impact and efficacy of both endeavours. As the collective effort of a team to achieve a goal enables it to generate innovative solutions that may not have appeared when one is working on an individual problem. But on the other hand, balancing the roles of a full-time worker and a PhD student is undeniably demanding.
“Striking a harmonious equilibrium between the demands of a professional career and the rigorous academic pursuits of a PhD program is a constant challenge.”
The dual responsibilities require a meticulous juggling act, as both worlds demand significant time, energy, and intellectual commitment.
Despite the considerable challenges, this dual role also provides unique benefits. It offers practical insights and real-world context that can enrich academic pursuits, while academic rigour fosters analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be directly applied in a professional setting.
Read the third edition of our #FutureofResearch series with Harsh Manoj Shah, a master’s student at the Technical University of Munich and a working student at our partner organisation Holo-Light GmbH.
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