How Movies shape our Acceptance of Robots

Robots have become an integral part of our lives, interacting with us, directly or indirectly. The pandemic has increased our dependence and acceptance of robots in our daily lives. From bringing us to our tables at restaurants to allowing for touch-free elevator buttons, the robotic technology has made some of our activities seamless and less labor intensive. This ThinkOut, seeks to highlight the role of Robots in society and how popular culture, especially the movies, have played a big role in influencing our perception of robots and the technology behind it. Dr Wong Choon Yue, will showcase the technology involved, the need for and the vast applications that humanoid research plays in the betterment of society. Dr Kevin Chew, on the other hand emphasises that the portrayal of Robots in the movies influences perceptions and at times creates social apprehension. The session will be moderated by Asst Prof Andrew Prahl, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information and Prof Vanessa Evers, Professor of Computer Science and Director of NISTH.

Speaker Biography

Dr WONG Choon Yue

Dr Wong Choon Yue is a Senior Research Fellow in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) until June 2021 and holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses mainly on interface design and human-robot interaction (HRI), which led to the development of the EDGAR series of humanoid robots that is best known for being the robotic co-host at the 2017 National Day Parade in Singapore.

Prior to joining NTU, he was with TECH Semiconductor (now Micron Semiconductor Asia), managing the Dry Etch operations of semiconductor manufacturing. In addition to robot development, Dr Wong also speaks at public events to share his robot-building experience and to inspire budding young scientists.

He is also the CEO and Founder of MAJU Robotics, a start-up spun off from NTU, set up in Jan 2019. Dr Wong continues to deploy humanoid robots, while at the same time also developing new robotics solutions such as disinfection robots for use in public spaces, as well as robotic grippers for applications such as in logistics.

In July 2021, he co-Founded QuikBot Technologies Pte Ltd and became its Chief Engineering Officer.  QuikBot, combines cutting-edge delivery processes with mobile robotics to leverage on smart-city facilities for job-transformation, cost reduction as well as sustainability in final-mile deliveries.

Kevin CHEW

Dr Kevin Chew received his PhD in 2021 from the University of Cambridge, where he also completed an MPhil in Screen Media and Cultures and a BA in French and German. His PhD research was funded by the Gates Cambridge Trust. He was an Associate Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 and a Postdoctoral Affiliate at the University of Cambridge from 2021–22. His teaching experience spans American, European and Asian cinema.

He is currently an Assistant Professor in Film Studies at the WKWSCI. His research interests span film and media theory, cultural studies and the history of science and technology.

Kevin’s debut article on Disney’s Zootopia examines the use of animal allegory to portray racism as a discourse of primal war. It argues that such a discourse ultimately demands the extinction of minority populations; a fate ironically exemplified in the animal bodies that supply the allegorical figures of the film. His second article on Disney’s Moana, which treats the animation of the ocean as a demonstration of an ecological pattern of thought, is forthcoming in the New Review of Film and Television Studies. Kevin’s current projects include a book based on his PhD thesis examining political conflict in contemporary Disney animation, as well as a research paper on ecological and military visions in the films of Hayao Miyazaki.

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Video Recording

Event Details
Date and Time
16 Nov 2022 (Wed)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue
Online)
Event Format
Debate & Dialogue
Series
NISTH Think Out Debate Series
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