The first humanoid robot at VŠB-TUO is named Adam
The first humanoid robot at VŠB–Technical University of Ostrava has been named Adam. A special committee comprising representatives from several faculties, REFRESH, and VŠB-TUO Rector Igor Ivan selected the name from suggestions submitted by students and university staff. Kateřina Kashi from the Faculty of Economics will receive the announced prize for the winning suggestion.
“The name Adam came to me immediately after seeing the post. It seemed like a natural and symbolic choice; it refers to the first human and is also short, familiar, and easy to remember. Adam simply seemed like the right name for the first humanoid. Plus, my first-born grandson has the same name. I’m absolutely thrilled that my suggestion caught people’s attention and ultimately won. I’m very pleased that with this small idea, I can become part of something that was pure science fiction just a few years ago and that, at least in this way, I can contribute to something that bridges the world of people and technology,” said Kateřina Kashi, who specializes primarily in human resources management, managerial skills, and decision-making at the Department of Management.
As a reward, she will now have a “date” with a humanoid robot. “What I find most fascinating about humanoid robots is that we don’t yet fully know what role they will one day play in our lives. It’s fascinating to watch how technology is gradually moving from screens into the physical world and taking on a form that people can interact with naturally. At the same time, I think the most interesting question is not how much humanoid robots resemble humans, but how they can actually be useful to us. And I’m curious to see how far Adam will go and what place he will eventually find among us,” Kashi added.
The humanoid robot has been at VŠB-TUO since May; its purchase, costing CZK 1.5 million, was supported by the REFRESH project within the Just Transition Operational Programme. At the university, the humanoid robot will not only contribute to research but will also lead to the creation of a new course and significantly strengthen interfaculty and interdisciplinary collaboration. Experts from the Faculty of Safety Engineering (FSE), the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FEECS), the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and the Faculty of Economics are already working together to explore potential applications for the humanoid robot and identify various security threats. Their research will focus, for example, on safe human–robot collaboration and the integration of robots into industrial operations, as well as cybersecurity. Other current topics include the potential replacement of human labor and the relationship between humans and robots.
“Adam certainly hasn’t been idle during his first few months with us. He made his television debut on Czech Television’s Dobré ráno, where we used real-life demonstrations of robot collisions to show what needs to be considered from a safety perspective. In the labs, we have tested autonomous navigation and the inspection of production-line areas with him, as well as advanced robotic-arm control and other key capabilities that humanoid robots need in order to operate effectively in real industrial environments,” said Radim Hercik from FEECS, summarizing the results to date.
Researchers have already submitted several projects in which they plan to use the humanoid robot. These include, for example, the establishment of a center of excellence focused on humanoid robotics, a project aimed at integrating a humanoid robot into metalworking production, and other related activities.
Members of the academic community suggested names through a special form, submitting 35 proposals. Dozens of additional suggestions were also submitted in a poll on the university’s Facebook page.
