UBC welcomes Kiwibot robot ambassadors Kelly, Grey, and Robson in a first-of-its-kind 5G-powered pilot project to help students on campus.
A Futuristic Welcome at UBC
As students return to the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus this fall, they’re not the only fresh faces around. Alongside the wave of eager newcomers, three robotic ambassadors—Kelly, Grey, and Robson—are joining the community in a unique pilot project that blends innovation with student life.
Meet Kelly, Grey, and Robson
The trio, built by San Francisco–based robotics company Kiwibot, are roughly the size of a mini-fridge but far more interactive. Stationed at the UBC Bookstore for four weeks, they’re taking on special roles:
- Kelly is ready to answer student questions.
- Grey and Robson are handing out treats as a cheerful welcome.
Students can simply press a button on top of a robot and ask questions directly—making these bots approachable and easy to engage with.
Powered by 5G, Driven by Curiosity
Behind the scenes, Rogers’ 5G testbed fuels their performance. According to Raymond Chau, program manager for the Rogers UBC Collaborative Research and Innovation Partnership, the project is more than just a novelty. The aim is to study how people interact with robots, while gathering data on human-robot communication, emotional recognition, and real-time AI learning.
“In many ways, the robots are also students,” Chau explained. “Before deployment, they had to be ‘educated’ about UBC so they could serve their purpose effectively.”
Smarter With Every Interaction
Equipped with sensors to avoid obstacles and cameras that track movement, the robots analyze human interaction in real time. Importantly, UBC clarified that these cameras don’t record or capture recognizable features, ensuring privacy is protected.
Over time, the robots’ capabilities will expand as they adapt and “learn” from the students they meet. In just two weeks of training, Kelly, Grey, and Robson became familiar with the UBC Bookstore—an essential step before greeting thousands of students this semester.
A Glimpse Into the Future
The pilot project marks a first-of-its-kind experiment in Canada, bridging robotics, AI, and education. For now, the three robot ambassadors are offering smiles, snacks, and answers—but their real mission is much bigger: paving the way for future industry collaborations and smarter, more interactive campus experiences.
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