Current Focus

Project: A Robot Chemist that can learn from humans

Background and introduction:

Chemistry experimentation is fundamental to scientific research and development. Nevertheless, it often entails time-consuming, labour-intensive processes that are susceptible to human error. Robotic systems hold immense promise in transforming this field by automating and streamlining chemistry laboratory experiments. However, due to the intricate dexterity required, programming the behaviour through explicit instructions can be a formidable challenge.

This research endeavour seeks to tap into human expertise and explore the potential of utilising Learning from Demonstrations (LfD) techniques. This approach empowers robots to learn directly from human demonstrations, enabling them to perform chemistry experiments with increased efficiency and precision. The study will specifically investigate the application of Schlenk line techniques, transferring knowledge and extensive hands-on experience from humans to robots through kinesthetic teaching or teleoperation.

Objectives:

• Identify key manipulation skills in chemistry “Schlenk line” experiments.
• Implement learning from demonstration techniques to enable the robot to acquire and refine these skills through observation and imitation.
• Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the robotic chemist in comparison to traditional human-led experimentation.