Humanoid robots of the future in the service of humansWe who made a difference
KTH conducts groundbreaking research in robotics and artificial intelligence with the goal
of developing robots that can not only see and act, but also understand and interact
with humans in complex environments. The society of the future will be characterised by robots
in our homes, workplaces and industry. They will act as
assistants, not as replacements. These robots will make everyday life easier, increase safety and
take over tasks that are monotonous, dirty or dangerous. They could be particularly important
in areas such as health, social care and recycling. Combining technical
excellence with a deep understanding of human needs creates the conditions for the next
generation of robots. These are systems that not only work, but make a real
difference - to quality of life, to the working environment and to a more sustainable society.
Interdisciplinary research
At KTH Royal Institute of Technology, advanced and interdisciplinary research is conducted in artificial intelligence and robotics. AI is widely used today to automate cognitive tasks, such as analysing data, making decisions or writing texts, but when AI is integrated into robots, the systems must also be able to interpret and act in physical environments, often in interaction with humans. This means greater complexity, where understanding human behaviour, movement patterns, language and social norms becomes crucial. For technology to be truly useful, it must be both understandable and explainable to the user. Interdisciplinary collaborations are creating the knowledge base needed to develop robots that support people in their everyday and working lives, with a focus on real societal benefits.
Technology that understands people - for a sustainable and human-centred future
Research at KTH is based on real needs in society and is conducted in close collaboration with industry. It is about solving concrete challenges that affect people's everyday lives and quality of life. Professor Danica Kragic Jensfelt leads research that explores how new technology can understand, enhance and interact with human behaviour.
One ongoing project uses generative AI to automate what humans do with their hands and arms - movements that are central to the manufacturing industry today. Other projects explore how our senses influence human behaviour, with the goal of developing robots that can perceive and react to sensory input like humans. By addressing these challenges from multiple scientific perspectives, KTH is laying the foundation for the next generation of human-centred technologies.
The world's first robotics lab
Professor Danica Kragic wants to take the next step in her research by establishing a world-leading laboratory for humanoid robots at KTH - an area where there is currently no established research in Sweden. The new lab will study the interaction between humans and robots in detail, to understand the contexts in which these robots can be useful and the tasks they can perform. An important part of the research is about our senses. Advanced research is creating knowledge that can be of great importance to both industry and healthcare, with the potential to improve efficiency, quality and life in both the work environment and for the individual.
