The robots may be coming for your job but 2026 might finally show signs of what has been predicted for years, truly useful robots but also a new vista for entertainment and museums including plans for Ireland’s first National Children’s Science Centre. 2026 is predicted by several tech experts to be the year when robots truly enter public life. Stories of humanoid robots back flipping, robots playing competitive basketball, expressive theme-park characters and machines capable of walking marathon distances are dominating headlines. At the same time, researchers have pushed the boundaries of what robots can learn, how fast they can adapt and how safely and reliably they can operate in everyday spaces. 

Professor Luke O’ Neill joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.