Robots busts a move

DEWEY, the Noosa Library Service robot, took Council’s Robots for Everyone program to the Brisbane Ekka this week.
The NAO Humanoid robot spent the day on Thursday (11 August) talking to show patrons as part of a State Government display promoting innovation.
The 58cm-tall robot read aloud, danced to Thriller, did Tai Chi and played games during his appearance at the annual show.
Literacy and learning co-ordinator Tracey King said the library service was delighted to receive an invitation from the Premier’s Department to take part.
“It’s fantastic recognition for our program and it just goes to show you don’t have to be from a big city to be innovative,” Ms King said.
Last year Noosa Library Service became the first Australian public library to recruit an NAO Humanoid robot to teach school students and adults about coding and robotics.
Council bought Dewey with the help of an $18,824 grant through the State Library’s Technology Trendsetter 2015 funding program.
“Robots for Everyone is a fun and practical robotics and computer training class for adults and young people. Students learn how to program Dewey to walk, talk, even catch small objects,” Ms King said.
For more information about Robots for Everyone, call Noosa Library Service on 5329 6555.