A household robot that can vacuum, unload the dishwasher, mow the lawn, and even drill a hole in the wall may soon be as common as a family car, according to Professor Bram Vanderborght of VUB’s BruBotics research centre. Vanderborght believes mass production will make humanoid robots affordable and practical for daily use.
His team’s work is already producing real-world applications, including the VUB spin-off Axiles Bionics, which develops intelligent ankle-foot prostheses and will showcase its technology at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. At the VUB AI Experience Centre, researchers collaborate with companies and society to test robotics and artificial intelligence in practical environments.
While Vanderborght acknowledges challenges such as energy use, safety, and touch-sensor technology, he remains confident that robots will support rather than replace humans: “Robots are precise and tireless. Humans are creative and versatile. We complement each other.”
VUB’s newly opened AugmentX lab, created with Flanders Make, is also exploring human-robot collaboration in workplaces to reduce physical workloads and optimise efficiency.
Source: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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