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1st Summer School on HRI-Social Robotics
On-site in Tartu, 28 July – 8 August 2025
The intersection of humans and robots has become increasingly critical as society integrates robotics into everyday life. This course provides an in-depth exploration of social robotics, the branch of robotics that involves the design, development, and study of robots that interact and communicate with humans or other robots in a socially meaningful way. Participants will investigate concepts such as robot design for social interaction, ethical considerations, and real-world applications using various robot platforms as hands-on case studies.
This course introduces participants to the foundational principles of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) with a focus on Social Robotics (SR) in education. Through a blend of lectures, practical workshops, and group assignments, participants will:
- Explore the design and development of social robots.
- Learn how to evaluate and refine robots’ social capabilities.
- Learn basic design and research methods in HRI-SR.
- Engage in hands-on programming and customisation of robot platforms for various HRI-SR scenarios.
- Have the opportunity to publish a short contribution in an academic conference.
The course combines theory with practical, multidisciplinary approaches. Students will examine the implications of social robotics in various domains while gaining insights into the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Information about the course
Focus area: | Human-Robot Interaction and Social Robotics | Coordinating unit: | Faculty of Science and Technology |
Study Field: | Robotics | Course Leaders: | Farnaz Baksh & Matevž Zorec, Junior Research Fellows |
Format: | Summer Course | Location: | Delta Centre, University of Tartu |
Course dates: | 28 July - 8 August 2025 | Language: | English |
ECTS: | 3 | Study group: | BA/MA/PhD |
Lecturers
Farnaz Baksh | Matevž Borjan Zorec | Karl Kruusamäe |
| Junior Research Fellow in Computer Engineering at the University of Tartu's Institute of Technology. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in social robotics, contributing to the field through her research and development efforts. | Junior Research Fellow in Distributed Systems at the University of Tartu's Institute of Computer Science. He has contributed to the development of an open-source robotic study companion aimed at enhancing the learning experience of university students through multimodal human–robot interaction. | Associate Professor of Robotics Engineering at the University of Tartu's Institute of Technology. His research focuses on human-robot collaboration, educational robotics, and social robotics. Kruusamäe also leads efforts in creating Estonia's first humanoid robot, SemuBot, an open-source platform designed to advance social robotics in the region. |
Application deadline: 30 April 2025
Application period: 1 April - 30 April 2025
NB! All of the applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of EUR 25. Your application will only be processed after the University has received the fee. The application fee is required to facilitate the admissions process and will not be refunded, regardless of the admission result.
Course fee: 600EUR
Includes:
Study materials
10 days of academic work with lecturers
Certificate of completion (3 ECTS)
5 cultural events in the evenings
NB! Transportation and accommodation costs are not included. The course fee does not cover participant's lunch during the summer school.
NB! This is a preliminary programme. The final schedule will be sent to the participants two weeks before the course starts.
Sunday, July 27
Arrival
Monday, July 28
Info session
Icebreaker activity.
Course Overview.
Introduction to HRI and Social Robotics.
Tuesday, July 29
Research & Design Methods in HRI-Social Robotics.
Prototyping (Computer-Aided Design & 3D Printing).
Wednesday, July 30
State-of-the-art in HRI Research.
Designing for Anthropomorphism.
Prototyping (hands-on programming)
Thursday, July 31
Multimodality in HRI-Social Robotics Workshop (Interaction design for social robots).
Friday, August 1
Privacy, Ethics & Security in HRI-Social Robotics.
Case studies in various domains.
Scenario-based challenges release (group project starter pack).
Saturday, Aug 2 | Sunday, Aug 3
Free day / Weekend / Cultural events
Monday, August 4
User-centred design principles for HRI-Social Robotics.
Group project ideation and discussions.
Tuesday, August 5
HRI-SR in Smart Environments (IoT-SR).
Project work: prototyping, testing, implementation.
Wednesday, August 6
Scientific reporting for HRI-Social Robotics.
Experiment Testing & Project work.
Thursday, August 7
Present preliminary experiment work.
Consultation with HRI-SR experts.
Friday, August 8
Final presentations. Wrap-up and reflections.
By the end of the course, students will:
1. Understand key concepts in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) and the design principles behind socially interactive robots.
2. Be able to design and implement various design and research methods in HRI scenarios.
3. Program and customise a social robot for specific interaction scenarios.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and societal implications of deploying social robots in various domains.
5. Collaboratively develop and present a prototype robot application addressing a real-world social challenge.
Before the course:
The students will be sent a list of selected academic papers and books on Human-Robot Interaction and Social Robotics at least three weeks before he course starts.
Assignments during the course:
1. Hands-on Prototyping Tasks: CAD, 3D Printing & Programming.
2. Group Project: Develop and present a robot prototype addressing a societal need, evaluated on functionality, interaction design, and societal impact.
In the second week, students will be divided into groups of 3 to 4 to work on a group project. Students will have a chance to choose one of the scenario challenges from a project pool and present their solutions. Lecturers and guest experts will be available for consultation. The deliverables of the group work include a presentation and report. We will extend the work with solutions nominated for publication.
Which previous knowledge is required?
- Basic programming skills (e.g., Python or C++)
- Familiarity with robotics concepts is an advantage but optional.
- Interest in interdisciplinary applications of AI and robotics.
Entry requirements:
- Online application form (application period April 1 - April 30 2025)
- Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
- Transcript of academic records
- Copy of passport
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.