In this special episode of Digitel Talk, recorded at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, host Ian Ginn speaks with Professor Cecilia Laschi (National University of Singapore) about how soft robotics, inspired by the octopus, could transform our understanding of the oceans.
Cecilia explains how her biodegradable, AI-assisted robots are designed to explore the seabed —safely collecting sediment samples, planting seagrass, and even deploying lab-grown coral—all without damaging delicate marine ecosystems.
Beyond marine science, the conversation touches on broader applications in biomedicine, agriculture, and the need for sustainable computation in a resource-hungry tech landscape.
Links and resources:
- AI for Good Global Summit
- National University of Singapore
- IEEE Technical Committee on Soft Robotics
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest bio
Prof Cecilia Laschi is the Provost’s Chair Professor of Robotics at NUS, where she leads the Soft Robotics Lab. She is the Director of the Advanced Robotics Centre and co-director of the Centre for Advanced Robotics Technology and Innovation (CARTIN). She holds a PhD in Robotics from the University of Genoa and an honorary doctorate from the University of Southern Denmark. A pioneer in soft robotics, she explores marine applications of soft robots and their use in the biomedical field, with a focus on eldercare. She has worked in humanoid and neuro-robotics, applying brain models in humanoid robots. Prof Laschi is Editor-in-Chief of Bioinspiration & Biomimetics and holds key editorial roles in top robotics journals. An IEEE Fellow and active member of various scientific societies, she founded the IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft). She also co-founded RoboTech, a spin-off company in edutainment robotics.
Podcast credits:
- Host: Ian Ginn
- Guest: Professor Cecilia Laschi
- Editor: Francis Wright
- Designer: Rebecca Ginn
- Project manager: Ivana Duric
