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1 – 4th December, 2011. Imagine a world where Robots are part of everyday life. Do you wish you had domestic help from a Robot? Would you play with a pet robot? Could a robot talk to you and share your feelings? Fancy meeting your robot self face to face? All will be revealed at the Science Museum’s Robotville Festival where a whole range of amazing robots from around the world will be on display to educate, surprise and fascinate, among them also two Lithuanian robots, produced and/or programmed by the Kaunas Technological University (Lithuania).

Robotville Festival, taking on board an original idea by EUNIC London (European Union National Institutes for Culture), in partnership with the EU Cognitive Systems and Robotics Programme  and the European Commission Representation in the UK, celebrates the most cutting-edge in European robot design and innovation and explores the cultural significance of robots.

The Science Museum’s Robotville will play host to over 20 unique robots, many of which have just come out of European research labs and will be on show to the British public for the first time. These include domestic robots, expressive robots, swarming robots, swimming robots, exploring robots, humanoid robots, learning robots and more. Roboticists, from the UK and Europe, will also be on hand to demonstrate their work and talk to visitors.

Kaunas Technological University introduces two robots, one of them, Coach Juozas, programmed at the Kaunas Technological University and another one, Candybot, produced and programmed by the university (author Bernardas Navickas). Both robots will be exhibited in the section of "Mind & Body".

When:  1-4th December (4 days only) 2011
Where: Science Museum
Times:  10am - 6pm
Cost:  Free

Details: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/robotville

Paulina Latham, Head of Events at the Polish Cultural Institute and project leader for EUNIC London, said; “Europe has a rich history and tradition of robotic development in science as well as in our culture. Not to mention, 2011 is the 90th Anniversary of the term ‘robot’ - coined by Czech writer Karel Čapek in his play RUR - so what better way to celebrate than a festival of the most advanced and progressive of robots. It may also be a surprise to learn the concept of artificial intelligence and robotics goes back nearly 3000 years, so this exhibit shows just have far we have come.”

Robotville Festival begins opens on 30th November at the Museum’s late night opening for adults and is open for five days only. Stuart Umbo, Content Developer at the Science Museum, said; “Robotville explores how robots will become an inherent part of life in the future. It explores how the idea of robots has pervaded culture for hundreds of years but is only now becoming a reality. We’re very excited to be able to showcase the latest and greatest in European robotic research and design all under one roof at the Science Museum.”

Robotville begins the Science Museum’s month long celebration of robots throughout December, consisting of talks with experts, robot workshops, Q&As with curators, art installations and multimedia and much more all the way up to the New Year. Stuart Umbo, continues; “European research centres are continuously conducting cutting edge research into robotics with the aim to become world-leaders in the field. Robotville is delighted to have all the latest models from UK and Europe here in one place for the public to see firsthand how inventive and pioneering today’s roboticists can be.”Robotville at the Science Museum was initiated by the Polish Cultural Institute, in partnership with the EU Cognitive Systems and Robotics Programme, European Union National Institutes for Culture and Embassies in the UK, and The European Commission Representation in the UK. 

1 – 4 December, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD. Open daily 10.00 to 18.00. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk / 0870 870 4868. Free entrance