Real-life demonstrations: robotics outside the laboratory
During the summer exhibition of the Royal Society in London, which took place from June 30 to July 5 in 2026During the exhibition, participants could see how real the challenges associated with robot manipulation in real-world environments are. Research on embodied intelligence - that is, body intelligence - was presented by a team from the Oxford Robotics Institute, which focuses on creating systems that not only perform tasks but also learn and adapt in real time. The exhibition was part of a larger project funded by EPSRC, which aims to develop intelligent solutions for industry and society.
One of the most notable elements of the exhibition was the Frank robot - a two-armed manipulator with advanced learning capabilities. For several days, its actions were controlled remotely by participants who used Meta Quest headsets to view the world from the perspective of the robot's camera. This was not just a technology demonstration - it was an attempt to show how difficult it is for humans and machines to interact in real time. Participants could experience the limitations of the workspace, delays in response, and difficulties associated with precise coordination of movements.
In addition, the exhibition featured 3D-printed arms of the S101 robot, where one arm acts as a leader and the other as a follower. The audience could perform tasks such as stacking or arranging blocks, which allowed for a direct visualization of the differences between human and machine approaches to physical manipulation.
What happened during the interactive sessions?
Enlarged imageClose zoomPrevious imageAs part of a public experiment, participants could try their hand at a teleoperation simulation. Using a controller that resembled the platform used to control a real robot, they attempted to stack three blocks on a stand - a task that seems simple for humans. However, most players quickly realized that precisely moving the robot arm, planning movements, and controlling distance are not obvious challenges. Only 23% of participants stated that robotics is easy - and 37% admitted that they learned something new.
It was also important how the participants reacted: some were surprised by the effectiveness of the technology, while others were amazed at how much more needs to be done for robots to work not only in a controlled environment but also in real-world conditions - where there is no ideal data or predictable scenarios. The exhibition showed that even simple tasks require complex sensorimotor coordination, which is lacking in current systems.
In one of the sessions, several members of the Royal Society had the opportunity to control a real robot named Frank. In another part of the exhibition, participants played a game of noughts and crosses with a robot, which showed the potential for human-machine interaction even in simple forms of communication.
Touch sensors: key to precision in assembly
One of the most innovative elements of the exhibition was the soft robotic hand from the Soft Robotics Lab. Built with flexible, sensorized skin, it could detect pressure, texture, and contact in real time. This was not just technology - it was an answer to a specific problem: how can a robot gently lift a glass ball or assemble a component with a tolerance of a few micrometers without damaging it?
The demonstration showed that touch is not just an additional sensor - it is the foundation of embodied intelligence. Without sensitivity to contact, a robot cannot understand whether it is holding an object too tightly or too loosely. It is these solutions that can bring changes in small-batch production, where precision and flexibility are key.
Research conducted by Professor Perl Maiolino has shown that tactile sensors enable immediate response to changes in the environment. When a hand touches a surface, the system reacts immediately - for example, it reduces grip force if excessive pressure is detected. This approach is crucial for applications in medicine, electronics, or precision engineering.
Why is this important for the future of robotics?
The exhibition was not only a presentation of technology - it was an attempt to understand how society perceives robotics. Research shows that despite advances in machine learning and world modeling, there is still a huge gap between theory and practice. Robotics is not yet ready for full autonomy in complex, unpredictable environments - especially where delicacy and adaptation are required.
Therefore, the key step is not only to develop algorithms, but also public education. The exhibition showed that when people can try controlling a robot themselves - even in a simple task - they begin to understand its limitations and potential. This may contribute to a more realistic approach to automation in industry.
As Kate Lampo, a doctoral student from the Oxford Robotics Institute, emphasized: 'The most satisfying part of the exhibition was meeting with diverse guests - from children to non-STEM individuals. Everyone had a different perspective on robotics and AI: some were optimistic, others skeptical, but most were eager to learn.'
What remains unclear?
Although the demonstrations were effective, it does not mean that systems like Frank or soft hands are ready for mass deployment. The exhibition only showed the experimental stage - a demonstration of possibilities, not a ready-made industrial solution. There is a lack of data on the scale, durability, costs and scalability of these solutions.
In addition, although participants understood the difficulty of coordination, it does not say everything about how such systems will work in the long term - whether they are resistant to errors or can learn without constant supervision. These questions remain open and require further research.
It is also important that, although robotics is developing rapidly, its implementation in real-world conditions requires not only technology, but also new approaches to system design - which take into account human interaction, errors and environmental variability.
