Tony Prescott

Tony Prescott develops biomimetic robots that resemble animals, including humans. His goal is both to advance the understanding of biological life, and to create useful new technologies such as assistive, educational and entertainment robots. Tony is the co-founder and current Director of Sheffield Robotics a cross-institutional robotics research institute with over one hundred active researchers.  With his collaborators he has developed the whiskered robots Scratchbot and Shrewbot and the companion robot pet MiRo. He is currently working to develop brain-like control systems for the iCub humanoid robot that will provide the robot with a “sense of self”. As the co-founder of the British start-up company Consequential Robotics he is also engaged in commercial projects to develop assistive robots that will enhance the experience of life as we age. As a founding member of the EPSRC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Network, he is involved in developing strategies for knowledge transfer, internationalisation, and outreach for UK activities in robotics. His research has been covered by the major news and scientific media including the BBC, CNN, Discovery Channel, Science Magazine and New Scientist.