Humanoid robots have yet to take over the world as many have predicted (in both fiction and nonfiction), but they are becoming more prevalent in certain industries and offer unique solutions in many areas. 

Working in pairs, students will learn to program a NAO robot to speak and listen, constructing branching conversations and building an understanding of how to shape interactions between robots and humans. 

Throughout the sessions, students will discuss topics related to emergent and future technologies including advanced robotics and artificial intelligence, and explore the way AI can be used to process speech to text. In the second half of the day, students work to build their empathy, considering the needs of someone other than themselves who has a physical ailment or impairment, and design a program that humanoid robots can run to assist this person.