How will robots evolve to assist individuals with health and wellbeing in the future? Mari Velonaki, Professor of Social Robotics, University of New South Wales in Sydney, shares a future vision with Health2049 co-host Bisi Williams where technology coevolves to enhance humanity. One of the world’s preeminent thinkers in robotics, Mari’s work emphasizes creativity and playfulness in design, advocating for a shift from mere utility to personalized, transparent and ethically-driven solutions. Drawing on the concept of “coevolution,” her approach highlights the organic and synergetic possibility of society and technology evolving together. 

Mari Velonaki

• Website: https://hri.edu.au/
• Twitter X: https://twitter.com/crl_unsw
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marivelonaki
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-robotics-lab/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nfhri/about/

Connect with Health2049:

• Website: https://www.health2049.com
  
  

Find the complete Show Notes and Transcripts Here -> https://bit.ly/mari-velonaki

Timestamps:

• Mari Velonaki’s background in robotics. [03:46]
• A human centric vision for the future. [05:23]
• How can technology evolve? [08:11]
• The coevolution of assisted robots. [11:58]
• Should robots be human-like? [15:29]
• Coexistence to co-inhabitation to coevolution. [18:50]
• New technologies that enhance us. [23:10]
• Generative assisted robots improve quality of life. [25:38]
• Robots tailored to meet unique needs. [30:03]
• How can we address ethical considerations? [32:34]
• Assisted robotics without art? [34:52]

Episode Web Page: https://www.health2049.com/episodes