Robots in everyday life: Schweinfurt students discover future technology

Robots in everyday life: Schweinfurt students discover future technology

On July 1, 2025, the participants of the Girls' Day Academy at the Alexander von Humboldt High School in Schweinfurt had the opportunity to gain an exciting insight into the world of robotics. Under the guidance of Professor Dr. Dorit Borrmann and the master's students from the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Technology (THWS), the students researched how robots can provide support in everyday life. What was particularly notable was the girls' desire to delegate annoying tasks such as homework, clearing the table, washing up and cleaning to robots. This clearly shows that there is a high level of interest in modern technology and its application in everyday life.

During a visit to the THWS Center for Robotics (CERI), the students not only received theoretical insights, but were also able to actively participate. Maximilian Streng, a committed master's student, presented a mobile platform that is used at the RoboCup@Work World Championship and already handles transport tasks autonomously. Such practical experiences are not only educational, but also extremely motivating for the young participants.

Diverse uses of robotics

In the CERI laboratories, the team demonstrated the variety of possible uses for robots. A highlight was the presentation of a voice-controlled robot arm that responds to commands and recognizes tools. The students had the opportunity to program this arm themselves to transport Lego bricks without touching a predetermined partition. A spirit of competition and teamwork immediately developed as different groups competed to program the fastest and most error-free sequence.

The tour of CERI, led by Professor Borrmann, illustrated not only the technical possibilities but also the fascinating areas of application of robotics. These range from industrial robotics and mobile robotics to humanoid and service robots. \ The THWS offers exciting specializations in the Bachelor's degree program in Robotics for students who are interested in the latest developments in this area.

Robotics in training and the future

However, the influence of robots extends not only to technical professions, but also to education. Digital technologies are reshaping learning. Robots and cobots connect digital and physical worlds and have the potential to sustainably change teaching methods and content. A recent book entitled “Robots in Education, How Robotics Can Enrich Learning in the Digital Age” shows how robots can be used in teacher training. Both the opportunities and ethical questions of introducing robots into the education system are discussed ( Educational Robotics ).

In summary, robotics is not only an exciting field for future engineers, but is also becoming increasingly important in education. Robotics graduates are in demand in numerous industries from mechanical engineering to medical technology and benefit from strong networking. A good internship and close contacts with companies during their studies open up promising career paths for students. Robotic technology is on the rise, and it seems like it will soon play an even bigger role in our homes.