Suds & Science

Ever thought that learning would be more fun with a cold drink in hand? We've got you covered! Suds & Science brings scientists face-to-face with the public at local neighborhood bars for a night of learning, drinking, and community that you won't want to miss!

Highlights:

• Fun and informative lectures from STEM professionals
• Lively discussions between scientists and audiences
• Connection with your community in a laid-back environment

Get your ticket today and join us at the next Suds & Science event!

Event topics:

Tuesday, September 16

The Uncanny Valley In The Animal Kingdom

Humans often feel uneasy around human-like robots that look realistic but move in ways that don’t quite match. The uncanny valley describes this effect: initially, as robots become more human-like, our comfort increases... until a point where they are so close to humans that we suddenly become filled with dread. Designers of social robots worry about their designs being creepy rather than engaging. When our brain perceives a human form, we expect human motion. If those predictions are violated by mechanical behavior, the mismatch triggers discomfort. But this response isn’t unique to us! My work with rats and robots suggests rodents also display signatures of surprise, anxiety, and even social-like behaviors when interacting with robots. Together with converging evidence across humans, monkeys, frogs, and rats points to a general principle of how brains detect and respond to violations of social expectations.

Lecturer: Dr. Eric Leonardis received his PhD in Cognitive Science at UC San Diego, specializing in neuroscience and robotics. He is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, using reinforcement learning to study motor control and biomechanics. When not working on brain-inspired AI, he works as a science advisor with the National Academy of Sciences Science and Entertainment Exchange to improve the scientific content in film scripts to enhance storytelling.