Library's new 'humanoid' an Australian first

Noosa Library Service is set to become the first Australian public library to recruit a NAO humanoid robot.

The fully-programmable robot’s mission is to provide fun and practical robotics and computer programming training for adults and young people. It’s part of a new library initiative called Robots for Everyone.

“Coding has been described as a necessary language for the 21st century and a key skill for future economic success in digitally driven communities,” says Library Collections and Services Coordinator Tracey King.

“Robots for Everyone participants will learn these new skills, and then use them to bring the robot to life.”

Council bought the robot, which is yet to be named, with the help of an $18,824 grant through the State Library's Technology Trendsetter 2015 funding program.

“People have long pictured a world where robots are a part of everyday life, and we are now on the cusp of this world,” Ms King says.

The program will introduce coding and robotics into the community via a ‘Robot Road Show’ tour to community facilities, businesses, schools, shopping centres, retirement villages and at events.

This first of its kind project will also include social outreach programs, where members of the community can learn how to operate the robot and determine ways in which it could be used.

“Humanoid robots have also been shown to help greatly in other areas of teaching – they are known to be very effective in bridging communication and learning challenges with, for example, children with autism and older adults with dementia,” Ms King said.

“Our project will pilot robot programs with partner organisations so they can explore this potential.”

Noosa Library Service will launch the new program in early September.

24 June 2015