We have just launched a new programme of work Robots and Avatars, a series of events and educational activities taking place across 2010 and onwards in the UK and internationally. It is designed to explore how young people will work and play with new representational forms of virtual and physical life in 10-15 years time.
A first Forum took place in November 2009 at NESTA and brought together an excellent group of UK and international participants from the worlds of education, arts, youth and social services, gaming and robotics. This intensive and inter-generational gathering was designed to explore the implications of technology trends for the young people of today with keynote speeches from Pear Urishima (Apple Inc, California, USA), Dooeun Choi (Art Center Nabi, Seoul, Korea) and Prof. Noel Sharkey (University of Sheffield). You can see the photos, videos, reports and breakout groups here robotsandavatars.net/forum
Please also visit the Robots and Avatars research links section and suggest anymore to us that you know!
Please also click here to view the 10 min video of highlights from the day.
Robots and Avatars will include onwards Forums, a range of educational events, an exhibition, a Book/DVD, and the website will continue to expand as a shared research resource. The programme will investigate new relationships and skills required by the future workforce, and what forthcoming generations can expect from their jobs, careers and recreation time.
Robots and Avatars is a programme of work conceived and produced by body>data>space with partners NESTA, rehearsal.org / Ignite!, King’s College Visualisation Lab (King’s College London), Hi8us, ResCen (Middlesex University), Soda, b.TWEEN festival, Kinura, Kinetica and RAN (Digital Art Network).
If you would like to co-operate, join in or make a link please email hello@robotsandavatars.net