A NEW 3D printed humanoid robot developed in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University was exhibited at the British Academy.

The London centre was hosting a teaching excellence showcase by the University Alliance.

Two new humanoid robots with monkey faces have been 3D printed and are being used to enhance teaching at the University. Third year students, studying BSc Computing for Robotics Systems, had the chance to program one of the new robots as part of the course.

Tjeerd Olde Scheper, Robotics Subject Coordinator at Oxford Brookes University said: “The technology we have at Oxford Brookes is giving our students real, hands-on opportunities to design, create and program a robot and that really puts us at the forefront in terms of robotics. The skill of our technicians has also been instrumental in the provision of our robotics programme.

Oxford Brookes also exhibited a robotic cardboard arm that has been developed as an outreach activity and one of their Nao robots used in teaching.

The showcase, held on Thursday, was part of the University Alliance’s Teaching Excellence Alliance (TEA) project, which sees the publication of a new collection of essays on teaching excellence, outlining bold new thinking from leaders in higher education.

Maddalaine Ansell, University Alliance Chief Executive said: “Britain’s higher education system encompasses distinct models of excellence in teaching and learning. This diversity is both a strength and a source of innovation.

“Excellent teaching has always been at the heart of what Alliance universities do. This is shaped by close engagement with industry and the professions, characterised by teaching and assessment in real-world settings and underpinned by supporting all students to succeed."

She added the collection of essays was designed to inform discussion and spur debate on education standards.