Meg Tonkin, Innovation and Enterprise Research Lab (Magic Lab)
Meg Tonkin with Pepper, the social robot together with her thesis topic and supervisor

Image: Meg receives a hug from Pepper, the social robot.


What is the most rewarding aspect of your research?  

The opportunity to implement the latest AI research and technology into a real world context. Also, seeing people enjoy interacting with a social robot and realising it will also be able to assist them. 

What are the real-world applications of your research? 

Using my design framework enables businesses, organisations and researchers to discover the potential applications of AI technology, such as social robots, in their industry. It provides a guide to design, develop and implement the technology in a socially responsible manner in public space environments. Social robots bring together the physical, digital and social worlds to provide unique experiences and services that can be used in Hospitals, Shopping Centres, Airports and Banks. 

What ideas do you (or your team) have for future research? 

Discovering the ways in which social robots can improve the experience for patients in hospitals with chronic conditions. 

Are you involved in collaborative research? 

Industry collaborations enable us to focus on how our research can improve real world situations. Many organisations are seeing the potential of embodying AI in the physical world with social robots. This has led to collaborations in industry with Commonwealth Bank, JobsForNSW and now South Western Sydney Local Health District. At this stage it is about testing and developing applications that improve people's experience and give hospital staff more time to focus on core hospital services.

What inspired you to undertake a PhD in computer science? 

Social Robots and AI are the next interesting and innovative way for humans to interact with technology. Bringing this technology to life is fun however it also needs to be in a socially responsible manner, bringing benefit to society. 

 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.