Workshop at an 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates

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51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates: Robots

29 October 2026, 18.00-21.00

Step into the world of tomorrow and meet the robots of the future - what does 'intelligence' mean in our ever-changing world?

At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates: Robots, you can get hands-on with all things robots, tech and AI at this free evening event for adults.

Get crafty and design your own soft, squishy robot to take home, inspired by flexible fibre-bots that can navigate inside the human body. Then chat to researchers about your hopes and fears around artificial intelligence.

See if you or your friends are faster than a robot in a pipetting race, then watch robots play football where every pass, tackle and shot is decided in real time by AI. Then head to the bar, grab a drink and soak in the music from the DJ.

With hands‑on activities, fascinating talks, real robots and inspiring research at every turn, you can indulge your creativity and curiosity by learning all about the research driving the technologies of tomorrow.
A video trailer of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates, showing a range of people (roughly ages 18-35) engaging with research at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates. Shows show people taking part in workshops, trying out new technology and listening to talks. Play video
A video trailer of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates, showing a range of people (roughly ages 18-35) engaging with research at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates. Shows show people taking part in workshops, trying out new technology and listening to talks.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates

Get a sense of the Lates vibe by watching the trailer.

Got questions? Get in touch via email at lates@imperial.ac.uk

About 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates are fun and social post-work events where visitors can interact with the latest scientific developments at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, centred around a new theme for each evening.

The 2026/27 season will include:

29 October 2026: Robots

Step into the world of tomorrow and meet the robots of the future. What does 'intelligence' mean in our ever-changing world?
3 December 2026: African Science
Find out all about the international research collaborations taking place between 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and partners from across the African continent.
28 January 2027: Connection
Bring a date (or a mate) and strengthen your connection scientifically by discovering a wide range of connective science, from telecommunications to physical attraction, and social media to social isolation.

To find out when registration opens, and to hear about other public events at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, please sign up to receive our event update emails, or follow us on

Want to get involved?

51³Ô¹ÏÍø researchers are invited to submit ideas for taking part in the Lates series, and applications are now open. Please complete the  to register your interest, and if you have any queries about the ideas submission process, please get in touch via email (lates@imperial.ac.uk)

The team welcomes fully developed activities or initial ideas. The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates programming team can help you develop an idea further, discuss opportunities to host a talk or take part in a panel discussion, or connect you with a creative practitioner to explore your research through an artistic workshop. 

If you are an 51³Ô¹ÏÍø staff member or student interested in volunteering at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates, you can to be the first notified when shifts open.  with the public engagement team. 

If you are an artist or facilitator interested in working with the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates team,  please get in touch via email (lates@imperial.ac.uk)

What to expect?

Check out some photos from our past evenings of discovery! 

Socialise with friends © Brendan Foster Photography

Dance at an atomic silent disco © Brendan Foster Photography

Engage with interactive exhibits © Brendan Foster Photography

Experience artistic collaborations © Brendan Foster Photography