USU's Science Unwrapped Explores Robots in a Human World on Friday, Jan. 28

From vacuum cleaners and hospital aides to factory assemblers and bomb sniffers, robots are becoming more and more a part of our daily lives. We’re learning what it’s like to live in a robotic world, but what’s it like for a robot to live in a human world?

Utah State University computer scientist Mario Harper explores this enticing question at USU’s Science Unwrapped at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center on campus. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

“Living like a human is about making choices,” says Harper, assistant professor in USU’s Department of Computer Science. “We’re going to explore how robots make very complex decisions, as they serve humans in a wide range of ways.”

Harper’s Jan. 28 talk, “Hard Choices: Being a Robot in a Human World,” will also be livestreamed via AggieCast from the Science Unwrapped website and will be recorded and posted to the same website for continued viewing convenience.

Guests at the in-person event are encouraged to wear masks and to observe socially distanced seating in the Emert Auditorium.

Due to continuing pandemic conditions, Science Unwrapped is not currently offering in-person learning activities following the talk.

“As we did during our 2020-21 series, we’re offering video learning activities, created by our student and community volunteer groups, on our website,” says Greg Podgorski, associate dean for undergraduate studies and services in the College of Science and Science Unwrapped chair. “Each month, we’ll assess conditions to determine whether or not it’s safe and possible to return to in-person, post-talk learning activities.”

Established in 2009, Science Unwrapped is a public outreach program of USU’s College of Science.

The continuing schedule for Science Unwrapped’s 2021-22 “Science on the Horizon” series is:

Friday, Jan. 28: “Hard Choices: Being a Robot in a Human World,” Mario Harper, computer scientist

Friday, Feb. 25: “From Animals to Autism: The Science of Social Bonds,” Sara Freeman, neuroendocrinologist

Friday, March 18: “What Goes Up, Must Come Down: Cleaning Up the Atmosphere with Geology,” Katie Potter, geoscientist

Friday, April 1: “Electric Avenues: Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), Regan Zane, electrical engineer

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page and Twitter profile.