Somabotics researchers and colleagues from the School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham have come together for a two-day workshop to explore the technologies, research questions, and creative possibilities underpinning the SomaSkin tookit. Hosted across the Mixed Reality Lab (MRL) and Cobot Maker Space (CMS), the workshop will provide an opportunity to engage directly with the toolkit, examine its technical foundations, and discuss future directions for embodied AI and human-machine interaction.

The workshop will start with an introduction to the core features and capabilities of the SomaSkin toolkit followed by a series of live demonstrations showcasing how the system enables rich interactions between human bodies, sensing technologies, and intelligent systems.

The focus of the afternoon session will be the role of Artificial Intelligence within the toolkit, particularly the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and their potential to support more natural, responsive forms of interaction.

The second day will take place in the state-of-the-art Cobot Maker Space, with attention turning to a robotic arm and its interaction with the toolkit.  The question of how robotic systems respond to embodied sensing technologies will be addressed, along with consideration to technical challenges and opportunities associated with creating more adaptive and responsive robotic behaviours.

The workshop aims to encourage open discussion, advance understanding of the SomaSkin toolkit, and will provide time for the SomaSkins project team to reflect, share perspectives, and identify avenues for further development and research opportunities for the toolkit’s potential contribution to the future of embodied AI, robotics, and interactive technologies.