Dr Rustam Stolkin and robots that learn: Nuclear robotics meets machine learning

How can we create robots that can carry out important tasks in dangerous environments? Machine learning is supporting advances in the field of robotics. To find out more, we talked to Dr Rustam Stolkin, Royal Society Industry Fellow for Nuclear Robotics, Professor of Robotics at the University of Birmingham, and Director at A.R.M Robotics Ltd, about his work combining machine learning and robotics to create practical solutions to nuclear problems. There are many definitions of engineering, but the one I like is "the creation of artefacts for the benefit of mankind". Engineering is a way of using science to be creative and to create novel technologies which can bring major societal and economic benefit.