Upcoming Inaugural Lecture from Prof. Stefana Parascho
© 2023 EPFL
Prof. Stefana Parascho will be giving her inaugural lecture about design and construction robotics on May 10, from 17:30 to 18:45.
The lecture will take place on EPFL campus in CO2 and online on Zoom. Learn more at the event page.
Abstract
Digital tools for design and construction have been mainly following two goals: automating analogue processes and materialising complex geometries. Robotics can create new opportunities if we shift from top-down processes, to collaborative, adaptable and intuitive ones that purposely make space for human interaction, reflection and creativity.
Robots working cooperatively, humans and robots building together, designers creating along with machines – the presented work explores the various relationships between humans and machines, between software and hardware, and between efficiency and the needs of our built environment. From scaffold-free assembly to robots employed for material reuse and computational tools designed to ease interdisciplinary knowledge exchange – the goal is to move beyond narratives of efficiency and towards more open and inclusive approaches that can better link technology to societal and environmental challenges. Ultimately, this requires the exploration of new roles for machines, new relationships between humans, algorithms and robots, and new connections across disciplines.