Co-Event: Robotics @ Oxford & ZHAW: Demystifying the hype around embodied AI
Details
A collaboration of Oxford Artificial Intelligence Society and aiLights
As robotics and AI increasingly meet the physical world, expectations often run ahead of reality. This curated session explores robotics and embodied AI in practice, focusing on how intelligent systems move from research into real-world environments, education, and early-stage ventures.
The session brings together applied robot learning and mobile robotics from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), alongside venture translation through Binabik.ai. From Oxford, it draws on hands-on embodied AI development connected to the AI Society ecosystem. Together, these complementary perspectives span research, deployment, and entrepreneurship.
Rather than centring on humanoids or speculative futures, the discussion looks at embodied intelligence in systems that actually work: robotic arms, mobile agents, and learning systems shaped by physical constraints, infrastructure, and deployment realities. Particular emphasis is placed on measuring expectations: what robotics can do today, where it still struggles, and what it takes to translate promising work into reliable systems, educational programmes, and early ventures.
Speakers:
Dr. Jorge Peña Queralta
Research Group Leader & Senior Lecturer in Robot Learning
Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Co-Founder, [Binabik.ai](https://binabik.ai/)
Lizzie Mushangwe
Chief Technology Officer, Extreme Materials AI
DPhil Candidate in Materials Science, University of Oxford
Team Lead, Oxford AI Society
Moderator:
Mike Romano
Oxford AI Society (Entrepreneurship Hub)
Master’s Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Co-Founder, Twelve Balloons
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📅 Date & Time: 03.03.2026, 09:00-10:00 (CET)
⏱️ Duration: 60 minutes
🌐 Language: English
🗣️ Format: Presentation, Panel + Q&A
📍 Location: Online (Zoom + YouTube Livestream)
👥 Audience: Researchers, students, practitioners, and founders interested in robotics, embodied AI, and the real-world translation of intelligent systems.