HI Data Forum @ LeaF – Humanoid robots as a platform for multidisciplinary research and research practice

HI Data Forum @ LeaF brings together two experts from different fields to explore how humanoid robots are enabling multidisciplinary research and innovation. The programme combines research insights, practical case examples, and a hands-on session on conducting human-subject research in robotics thru expert talks by Univeristy of Oulu researchers Antti Tikanmäki and Eetu Laukka.

The event highlights how humanoid robots can serve as shared research platforms that connect robotics, artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, sensing, education, health and care, industrial applications, and human-centred design. Participants will also gain practical insights into research practice, including ethics, open science, participant recruitment, experimental design, and reproducible human-subject studies.

Join us to discover how humanoid robotics is bringing together technology, people, and research practice to address real-world challenges and create new opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.

The hybrid event is free and open to all!
Secure your spot and register: onsite participation closes October 2, and online registration by October 5 at 12:00 (noon). The Zoom link will be sent by email couple days prior the event.
Register here.

The event is part of the Hybrid Intelligence: Human-AI Co-evolution and Learning in Multi-realities (HI) research programme, which examines the role of data in advancing research and innovation in human-centred AI.

 Programme

13:00 Welcome and News from Hybrid Intelligence: Human-AI Co-evolution and Learning in Multi-realities (HI) research programme – Satu Kaleva and Niina Palmu

13:15 Humanoid robots as a platform for multidisciplinary research – Antti Tikanmäki, Leader of Robotics research group at the University of Oulu.

13:45 Open Science and Best Practices for Human-Subject Research in Robotics – Eetu Laukka, Doctoral researcher in the Perception Engineering Group at the Center for Applied Computing (CAC), University of Oulu

14:30 Closing

Abstracts of the talks

Humanoid robots as a platform for multidisciplinary research – Antti Tikanmäki

This presentation introduces our humanoid robot research and explores how a humanoid robot can serve as a multidisciplinary research platform. By integrating robotics, artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, embodied learning, simulation, sensing, safety, materials, and application-driven experimentation, humanoid robots create opportunities to study how intelligent machines can operate, adapt, communicate, and collaborate in human environments.

Using our humanoid robot development as a research case, the presentation highlights how the same robotic platform can support studies in areas such as autonomous behaviour, task planning, perception, physical interaction, teleoperation, education, health and care environments, industrial assistance, ethics, trust, cybersecurity, and human-centred design. The aim is to show how humanoid robotics can act not only as an engineering challenge, but also as a research infrastructure that brings together technology, people, and society.

Antti Tikanmäki is leader of Robotics research group at the University of Oulu, and a robotics, artificial intelligence, and software systems specialist with a strong background in practical robot development, intelligent control systems, simulation, computer vision, embedded systems, and human-centred robotics. His work focuses on building functional robotic systems and research platforms that connect AI, physical embodiment, sensing, interaction, and real-world applications. He is especially interested in how humanoid robots can become versatile tools for research, innovation, education, and future industrial and societal use.

Open Science and Best Practices for Human-Subject Research in Robotics – Eetu Laukka

This hands-on session walks participants through the complete lifecycle of a human-subject experiment, using a real-time 3D reconstruction telepresence study as a case example. The session covers the practical aspects of conducting interdisciplinary research in robotics.

Topics include obtaining ethical approval, conducting statistical power analysis to determine an appropriate sample size, recruiting participants using Sona Systems, and preregistering hypotheses and methods through the Open Science Framework (OSF). The session also covers experimental implementation, data management, and transparent reporting of results. The aim is to provide practical guidance for conducting transparent, robust, and reproducible human-subject research with emerging robotic and interactive technologies.

Eetu Laukka is a doctoral researcher in the Perception Engineering Group at the Center for Applied Computing (CAC), University of Oulu, and is currently in the final stages of completing his PhD. His research focuses on immersive telepresence, virtual reality, human–robot interaction, and the experimental evaluation of real-time interactive systems. His doctoral work examines how perceptual-centered design through virtual environment interfaces and real-time 3D reconstruction can improve locomotion, usability, and user experience in immersive telepresence.