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Overview
On-site in Tartu, 28 July – 8 August 2025
The intersection of humans and robots has become increasingly critical as society integrates robotics into everyday life. This course provides an in-depth exploration of social robotics, the branch of robotics that involves the design, development, and study of robots that interact and communicate with humans or other robots in a socially meaningful way. Participants will investigate concepts such as robot design for social interaction, ethical considerations, and real-world applications using various robot platforms as hands-on case studies.
This course introduces participants to the foundational principles of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) with a focus on Social Robotics (SR) in education. Through a blend of lectures, practical workshops, and group assignments, participants will:
- Explore the design and development of social robots.
- Learn how to evaluate and refine robots’ social capabilities.
- Learn basic design and research methods in HRI-SR.
- Engage in hands-on programming and customisation of robot platforms for various HRI-SR scenarios.
- Have the opportunity to publish a short contribution in an academic conference.
The course combines theory with practical, multidisciplinary approaches. Students will examine the implications of social robotics in various domains while gaining insights into the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Accreditation
Every seven years, all Estonian higher education institutions must undergo external evaluation – institutional accreditation. The latest assessment took place in 2022. The assessment council of the Estonian Quality Agency for Education decided to accredit the University of Tartu for the next seven years (2023-2029).
Programme Structure
Monday, July 28 Introduction to HRI and Social Robotics.
Tuesday, July 29 Research & Design Methods in HRI-Social Robotics. Prototyping (Computer-Aided Design & 3D Printing).
Wednesday, July 30 State-of-the-art in HRI Research. Designing for Anthropomorphism. Prototyping (hands-on programming)
Thursday, July 31 Multimodality in HRI-Social Robotics Workshop (Interaction design for social robots).
Friday, August 1 Privacy, Ethics & Security in HRI-Social Robotics. Case studies in various domains.
Monday, August 4 User-centered design principles for HRI-Social Robotics.
Tuesday, August 5 HRI-SR in Smart Environments (IoT-SR). Project work: prototyping, testing, implementation.
Wednesday, August 6 Scientific reporting for HRI-Social Robotics. Experiment Testing & Project work.
Thursday, August 7 Present preliminary experiment work. Consultation with HRI-SR experts.
Friday, August 8 Final presentations. Wrap-up and reflections.
Audience
BSc/MSc/PhD
Lecturers
Farnaz Baksh & Matevž Zorec, Junior Research Fellows at the University of Tartu
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 12 days
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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More details
Apply by 7 April 2025 to get the Early Bird discount of -10%!
Language
English
Credits
3 ECTS
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
- Tartu, Estonia
Disciplines
Robotics Computer Sciences Artificial Intelligence View 4 other Short Courses in Artificial Intelligence in EstoniaWhat students do after studying
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Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Other requirements
General requirements
Which previous knowledge is required?
- Basic programming skills (e.g., Python or C++)
- Familiarity with robotics concepts is an advantage but optional.
- Interest in interdisciplinary applications of AI and robotics.
Entry requirements:
- Online application form (application period April 1 - April 30 2025)
- Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
- Transcript of academic records
- Copy of passport
- Application fee of 25 EUR
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Tartu and/or in Estonia, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Tuition Fee
To always see correct tuition fees
-
International
600 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 600 EUR for the full programme during 12 days. -
EU/EEA
600 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 600 EUR for the full programme during 12 days.
Living costs for Tartu
300 - 600 EUR /month
Living costs
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
1. Estonian National Scholarships at StudyinEstonia.ee.
You can read more about the scholarships on the homepage of StudyinEstonia.ee.
2. ENLIGHT scholarship
More information and the application form are on the ENLIGHT scholarship page: https://ut.ee/en/content/enlight-scholarship
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