Panel: Embodied AI | CSIRO, Andromeda Robotics, NVIDIA | NextGen AI 2026

When AI leaves the browser. Navinda Kottege (Research Director, Cyber Physical Systems, CSIRO), Sarah Barker (Head of Robotics Safety and Policy, Andromeda Robotics) and Dr Johan Barthélemy (NVIDIA AI Technology Centre) on world models, humanoid form factors, the data problem in robotics, and the trust and safety questions that come with machines that move. Moderated by Justin Fong, Research Fellow at the Human Robotics Lab, University of Melbourne. Chapters 0:00 Justin Fong frames embodied AI 1:36 Panellist introductions 6:06 Abby, the companion robot in aged care 7:36 How quickly trust is lost 10:36 Designing a robot people want in the room 12:06 Mobility, and what actually happens in care centres 13:36 Staff shortages and what robots are really for 15:06 Does the humanoid form factor matter 18:06 Moravec's paradox and misjudging what robots can do 19:36 The data problem in robotics 22:36 Open sourcing the work 24:06 The Terminator question 25:36 Military applications and security 28:36 Privacy, dignity and sensitive disclosures 30:06 Audience questions: defining embodied AI 31:36 Should a robot apologise, and where this goes next NextGen AI 2026: Beyond Generation was held on Friday 11 September 2026 at the Forum, Melbourne Connect, as a featured programme of Melbourne Connect Innovation Week. Hosted by AIDG, the student led AI community at the University of Melbourne. aidg.au · team@aidg.au Principal sponsor: NVIDIA Gold sponsors: Roboly, ROMi, StrataXcel Silver sponsors: Multimedia Technology, Method Recruitment, PrimePilot.ai Community sponsors: Virtetic, Vivenex, Future Minds Network, Aurora, NUVC, Paracosm University partners: GSA, Melbourne Connect Conference partners: MERSA, Ausdroid Expo host: AIBUILD · Expo partners: Global Elite School, InnovateConnect Alliance, StarPlan, Chinese Alumni Network, Right Way Legal #NextGenAI2026 #AIDG #MelbourneConnect #InnovationWeek