Mechatronics MSc Students Present AKI: A Child-Centered Robot Prototype
Supervised by the Robot Design Lab, students reveal the first version of an expressive robot in the annual Mechatronics Capstone Course presentation
In the annual presentation of the Mechatronics Capstone Course, students presented AKI, a child-centered social robot designed to explore safe and trustworthy interactions. The project was supervised by the Robot Design Lab, which also acted as the stakeholder. The Capstone Course is a nine-month project course where students apply the full mechatronics system design methodology to address real-life challenges requested from our partners in the industry and society.
At the public event, the team revealed a tabletop prototype with an egg-shaped body and 11 degrees of freedom. Through motion, lights, and a display, AKI was able to convey simple emotions, giving it a clear expressive character.
Guided by ethical frameworks such as UNICEF’s AI policy for children, the students emphasized safety, transparency, and accountability throughout their design process. The presentation highlighted both the technical achievements and the social potential of robots designed for interaction with children.
The unveiling of AKI marks the first milestone of the platform, opening the way for further iterations in child-centered social robotics.