Make research approachable
Expert presentations introduce research problems, methods, and challenges across robotics. The seminar format creates space to explore unfamiliar ideas through conversation.
Robotics · Human–Robot Interaction · Research
Teaching robotics
through research
conversations.
Robotics and Human–Robot Interaction seminars, research conversations, and practical workshops with Naveen Balaji.
Explore the teaching →Seminar instruction with Houriyeh Majditehran
A learning journey
From curiosity
to a better question.
01 Encounter a research problem02 Discuss its methods and tradeoffs03 Connect it to another fieldto a better question.
6semester collections
31guest speakers
2024–26archive coverage
01 / Course design
A shared foundation.
New conversations each semester.
The common syllabus combines lectures, guest presentations, and interactive sessions. Its goals emphasize familiarity with robotics research, direct interaction with researchers, and connections across machine learning, HRI, soft robotics, and medical robotics.
Make discussion meaningful
The syllabus assesses attendance and participation, including relevant questions and thoughtful contributions to seminar discussions.
Connect ideas to practice
The Spring 2026 schedule includes workshops introducing ROS and Jetson Orin Nano alongside invited research talks.
02 / Teaching in practice
Research, discussion,
and hands-on learning.
The seminar brings together invited research presentations and practical sessions. Participation includes asking relevant questions and contributing thoughtfully to discussion.
Research conversations
Explore perspectives from guest speakers working across human–robot interaction, medical robotics, perception, robot learning, and soft robotics.
Meet the speakers →Workshops with Naveen
Practical sessions introduce ROS and explore simulation and Jetson tools. Browse workshop recordings across semesters.
Explore workshops →Course introductions & reflection
Course introductions frame the seminar experience. End-of-course conversations provide a space for feedback and reflection.
Explore course sessions →03 / Speakers & sessions
Meet the people.
Explore their ideas.
Discover each guest speaker in one place, with their appearances across semesters gathered together.
Talk titles supplied by the instructor are distinguished from descriptive topic labels based on the recordings. Published recordings are available through YouTube.
04 / Course overview
Learning through participation.
The course emphasizes familiarity with current robotics research, interaction with researchers and professionals, and connections between robotics and other fields. Assessment centers on attendance and active participation rather than traditional exams or projects.
One common syllabus provides the foundation; guest speakers and practical sessions vary by semester.