Presenting to a Robot! - robots used for degree presentations

During the first four days in June, students at the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at Â鶹Íø presented their project work in front of their graders. One of the grading academics was remote (and appeared in the tele-operative robot); the other was present in the room.


Students had worked hard on their individual final-year projects. Like many Universities, students present their final-year-project dissertation in an oral presentation. Dr Dave Perkins (Director of Teaching and Learning at the School) said “it is always a great pleasure  to hear the students speak about their work. Their final-year-project oral presentation is often one of their last graded activities, before they leave us and get a job or do further study. It is a chance for them to explain their project work, give a demonstration and answer questions about their work. This year we thought we would rise to the challenge that covid has brought us and upgrade to a hydrid  oral experience, merging the digital and real worlds. It meant that we could create a covid safe environment while giving the students the opportunity to speak to their project”.


Dr Cameron Gray (joint lead on the individual project module) said “These robots are great. You can walk around the school, while sitting at home. We placed them in the presentation rooms, and academics could remote in, hear the presentations and ask questions.”


The presentation schedule lasted all week. Students were given a 40-minute slot. They submitted their presentation before the oral, to help reduce covid transmission, and could give their 10-minute presentation, answer questions, and to give time that the keyboard could be disinfected before the next student.

Daniel Farmer (a third-year student on Computer Science BSc), who presented his project work titled ‘Using game engines to model the spread of a virus’ said “It was a privilege to present my project work. These robots are great. They allowed Professor Roberts to jump into my presentation remotely. He was at home, while I and Dr Ritsos were in the room. I can imagine many uses for this system, and how these devices can be useful in the future.”

Publication date: 11 June 2021