At the Crossroads: People, Robotics and the Future of Accessibility

A panel discussion with live demonstrations, the chance to meet researchers and a tour of the lab, on how robotics and assistive technologies could make daily life more accessible. The conversation spans rehabilitation, mobility, AI and assistive robotics, and asks who gets to shape these technologies and whether people trust them. UWE Bristol hosts at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, marking the lab's 20th anniversary, as part of the Bristol Distinguished Address Series and Being Human Festival 2026. Registration opens at 18:00 in the foyer, the panel starts 18:30 in Waterside 3, Q&A at 19:15, the programme ends 19:45, then networking and drinks until 21:00. No speakers are named on the listing. Free. Step-free access, accessible toilets, assisted listening, quiet spaces and captions are provided, and filming takes place for UWE promotional use. Why go: the demonstrations and the lab access are the real draw, and the accessibility framing keeps the robotics grounded in who it is actually for. Best for people working in assistive tech, health robotics or inclusive design.