Lecture: 'We Remain Human in the Face of Intelligent Robotics. From the Multimodal Perception of the Worker to the Responsible Design of Human-Robot Interaction'

In this talk, we will explore how intelligent robotics is changing the way people collaborate with advanced technical systems. The reflection will draw from experiences and research developed at FAST-Lab, particularly in human-robot interaction, multimodal perception, and human state modeling. Based on these cases, we will analyze a fundamental design problem: the more capable a system is of interpreting the worker, the greater the responsibility regarding how that information is used. The talk will advocate a central idea: technology does not turn us into another species nor deprives us of our humanity, but it can enhance or degrade the way we work, make decisions, and are treated. Therefore, trust in intelligent robotics requires protecting agency, dignity, and the active role of individuals in the systems we build.

About

Professor Jose L. Martinez Lastra has been a full professor since 2006, with thirty years dedicated to teaching and research in science and technology. Throughout his career, he has served as the principal investigator (PI) on more than 30 projects funded by the European Union, covering diverse fields such as automation, advanced robotics, and human-centered intelligent systems. His more than 300 publications in indexed journals and conference presentations, along with collaborations with internationally renowned centers of excellence, reflect his ongoing commitment to innovation and knowledge transfer.