27th March 2008

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Professor Noel Sharkey

A world-leading robotics expert will warn about the dangers of using robots in the near-future world at an international conference hosted by the University of Ulster next week. 

Professor Noel Sharkey, star of BBC cult-series Robot Wars and co-presenter of BBC Northern Ireland’s Bright Sparks, will explain how robots are hugely beneficial to mankind, but will warn that there are limitations and dangers ahead. 

Speaking at the International Conference on Engineering of Computer Systems-Based Systems (ECBS) in Belfast on Monday 31 March, Professor Sharkey will highlight the many moral and ethical dilemmas associated with the recent surge in world sales of service robots.  

The 13th annual ECBS runs from Monday 31 March until Friday 04 April at W5, Odyssey Complex, Belfast. It is hosted by the University of Ulster’s Faculty of Computing and Engineering. 

“Robots are now entering homes for domestic service, taking away many menial tasks that humans dislike, including cleaning floors and windows, harvesting fruit, milking cows, pumping petrol and building cars. They are faster and more efficient at many of these jobs than a human could be and they require a lot less maintenance,” says Sharkey, who is a Visiting Professor at Ulster. 

“These robots are hugely beneficial to mankind. Furthermore the recent development in robot surgery is of even greater benefit. The da Vinci robot, for example, can perform operations for prostate cancer with less scarring and damage faster than a surgeon.” 

The Coleraine-born robotics expert, however, is concerned about the use of robots in other walks of life, including the use of robots to look after children and the elderly. The aging population in the West and in Japan, for example, is growing rapidly and there are worries about how the young will be able to look after them. There is now a great deal of resources being focused in the area of robot elderly care and robot companionship. 

His talk follows recent warnings to military officials in the UK on the large amount of money being invested in the development of unmanned military vehicles.

Professor David Bustard, Head of the School of Computing and Information Engineering at Ulster said: “It is a significant honour for the University of Ulster to have the chance to host this international conference and a personal delight to have it launched by such an engaging speaker - one who can highlight the inspiring potential of computer technology but also warn of the risks and responsibilities that accompany it.”  

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter