Robot technology developed by QUT and world experts has the potential to take over from computer games as well as therapeutically aid children and the elderly.
The second International Symposium on Autonomous Minirobots was held at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) from February 18-20.
Researchers in robotics from Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Australia attended the symposium, which presented the latest technology in robotics and its potential future for the entertainment and edutainment sectors.
Following hot on the heels of Sony's release of a pet robotic dog; other robot manufacturers are keen to follow into the commercial market creating minirobots, which from all predictions will become the latest fad for hi-tech lovers.
Associate Professor Joaquin Sitte from QUT's School of Computing Science said trends similar to the computer industry are beginning to emerge.
"There are striking similarities between the state of the robotic industry today and the state of the computing industry before the advent of the personal computer.
"We seem to be witnessing a transition in robot technology similar to the transition from mainframe to mini and micro computers," Professor Sitte said.
The symposium also hosted a guest panel of speakers including Doctor Takanori Shibata from Japan who presented his concepts on therapeutic robots for children and the elderly.
