Watershed | 18:30 - 20:30

Robotics is forecast to have as profound an effect on human life in the 21st century as computers, cars, and aircraft did in the 20th. Already, children's toys are acquiring believable personalities, and many scientists are investigating how robots can be made more life-like so that we can deal with them as naturally as we would a human being.

The evening's line up includes:

• Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at University of Sheffield and chief judge of Robot Wars, presenting an overview of the future of the robotics industry
• Bristol Robotics Laboratory talking about the work being developed in the South West
• A showcase of Heart Robot, a lifelike puppet equipped with robotic functions, which bridges the gap between the robotics and creative industries to offer a glimpse of the emotional machines of the future.
• Networking drinks

In addition, we're offering you the chance to bring along a small prop to give us a flavour of your work for an informal robotics showcase, with the aim of sparking conversation. If you have something you would like to show, please email Claire Rocks with a brief description.

This is a free event, but please reserve your place here

Programme in partnership with Walking With Robots