Oxford Robotics Institute showcased at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
Cutting-edge robotics and AI systems from the Oxford Robotics Institute were featured at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition, 30 June – 5 July 2026. This annual public event, attended by over 10,800 people this year, features the latest research from across the UK through hands-on activities, talks and interactive exhibits.
The Embodied Intelligence team from Oxford Robotics Institute at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition 2026. Image credit: The Royal Society.
Two research groups from the Oxford Robotics Institute (part of the Department of Engineering Science) were selected to host one of 13 special flagship exhibits for the Summer Science Exhibition. Their exhibit - ‘Hands-on, Hands-off and Hand-in-hand: The Future of Robotic Assembly’- introduced the public to state-of-the-art robots capable of building, dissembling and adapting in real time.
Robots have become central to manufacturing and assembly, taking on roles that range from heavy repetitive labour to precision tasks that would be difficult for humans to perform consistently. However, even with the growing use of automation, many complex manufacturing tasks currently remain in human hands, requiring the ability to sense, coordinate and dynamically adapt. Even apparently simple dextrous tasks – such as untying a knot or unscrewing a lid – require both hands to work with perfect coordination, a feat that remains difficult to replicate with robots.
At the Summer Science Exhibition, ORI demonstrated how Oxford researchers are tackling the challenge of developing intelligent robotic systems that can match the coordination, precision and control of human hands through the Embodied Intelligence programme. Led by Professor Ingmar Posner of the Applied Artificial Intelligence (A2I) Lab and Founding Director of the ORI, the team showcased Frank, a cutting-edge dual-arm robotic manipulator, which is used to develop innovative machine learning methods for collaborative manufacturing. In particular, Frank is used to train world models that allow robots to perceive and understand their environment so that they can assist humans within small-batch manufacturing.
The team ran demonstrations where they operated Frank remotely to assemble constructed beams, stack blocks and even play noughts and crosses with some of the younger attendees. Using augmented reality with Meta's Quest headset, the team could operate Frank from the stage while perceiving its 3D camera point of view.
Members of the public were able to get hands-on with several robotic setups, too. Using a controller that mimicked the remote operation platform used to control the real Frank, visitors could play a game to see how quickly they could stack three blocks in a simulation environment. With around 745 members of the public playing the game, most quickly realised that what appears to be a seemingly simple task is actually much harder than they thought, given the difficulties of robotic coordination and the need to plan.
Elsewhere, the exhibit had 3D-printed S101 robotic arms, where a leader arm is used to control a follower arm. Members of the public were able to play with these and perform tasks – such as stacking and arranging blocks – to gain a first-hand understanding of the challenges of developing intelligent systems that interact in real time with the physical world. With researchers and staff from across the ORI, visitors had the opportunity to learn how the Institute is advancing intelligent solutions that truly work for diverse applications in society, not least in industry.
“The most rewarding part of the exhibition was the opportunity to speak with a wide range of guests, including schoolchildren and teachers, young adults, families, non-STEM professionals, and many others…. In general, people were impressed by the technology we demonstrated but also surprised to learn about just how much progress there still is to be made, especially when it comes to creating reliable systems that operate in unstructured, real-world environments.”
The Institute’s soft robotic hands from the Soft Robotics Lab were also on display, demonstrating the importance of touch. Our human hands are wrapped in sensitive skin that provides us with instant feedback, allowing us to adapt our movements in real time. But robotic fingers lack this. The Soft Robotics Lab are developing soft robot hands that are covered in flexible, sensor-rich artificial skin that can detect pressure, texture and contact. This instant, tactile feedback is essential for assembly tasks that require delicate control and where a fraction of a millimetre matters. The team, led by Professor Perla Maiolino, demonstrated how the soft robotic hand responds to pressure and can grasp various objects.
Speaking after the exhibit, Professor Posner said: ‘Robot manipulation remains one of the frontier challenges in robotics, and people are often surprised by just how difficult seemingly simple tasks are for robots. This is why it’s so important to bring robots out of the laboratory and into direct contact with the public. Giving people the opportunity to experience these challenges first-hand helps them understand the technological challenges, inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers, and starts informed conversations about how advances in robotics and AI translate into real societal and economic impact.’
He continued, ‘It was a pleasure and a privilege for the Embodied Intelligence Programme Grant to be selected to showcase our research at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, the UK’s flagship public science event.’
The Institute’s participation at the exhibit was supported by a six-year EPSRC Embodied Intelligence research grant, which funds research aimed at building machines that integrate sensing, acting and collaboration.
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