What happens when a circus performer picks up a soldering iron? Come find out at our gathering at the RoboCafé. The upcoming event is all about “The Robot That Joined the Circus”: physical interaction with machines.
In this edition of RoboCafé, Daniel Simu takes you behind the scenes of one of the most unusual robotics projects you’ll ever encounter: the Acrobot, a mechanical partner built not for the factory floor, but for the spotlight. Daniel will talk about his personal journey from performer to builder, the creative obsession that started it all, the failures that shaped the design, and the moments when art and technology became inextricably linked.
This isn’t just any story. Daniel delves into the technical details that brought the Acrobot to life:
- TPU: why this flexible material was a breakthrough for a robot that needs to move like a performer
- Motors: cheap versus expensive. The honest trade-offs, surprises, and lessons you learn when budget and ambition clash
- Programming challenges: what it actually takes to bring a machine to life on stage
Whether you’re an engineer, a maker, an artist, or just curious: this talk proves that the most interesting robotics projects often come from the most unexpected places.
Programme
4:45 – 5:00 PM Arrival: grab a drink and meet other members of the robotics ecosystem.
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Talk by Daniel Simu, artist, creative technologist, and inventor of the Acrobot, followed by a Q&A session
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Networking reception
7:00 PM Closing remarks, end of the RoboCafé
About RoboCafé
RoboCafé is an accessible gathering for the robotics and innovation community. We bring together founders, researchers, engineers, students, and partners to network, exchange ideas, and reflect on what’s shaping robotics this year. Expect a casual café atmosphere with free drinks.
