They sort microchips or play "Four wins" and look like big white arms growing out of the tabletop: in the robot laboratory at the University of Vechta, also known as Robolab, young and old, senior citizens and children can observe robots up close and also play with them. The initiator of the Robolab is Nick Lin-Hi, who holds the Chair of Economics and Ethics at the university. The aim of the lab, which is financed with regional development funds from the European Union, is to break down fears of new digital technology, says Lin-Hi.

The name of the Robolab is 'Moin Veroza', which means "Vechta robots you can touch". It was officially opened in winter, but due to the coronavirus situation, only a few visitors have been able to visit the rooms near the University of Vechta. This is now set to change: Visits and workshops are expected to take place again by appointment in the next few days, says research assistant and head of the Robolab, Marlene Reimer. "Among other things, appointments with company representatives, workshops with schoolchildren and trainees and visits with families are already planned."

Technology to try out - beyond everyday working life

Germany is lagging behind many other countries when it comes to digitalization and modern technology, not least the Asian countries, says Nick Lin-Hi. "We really have to be careful that we don't fall behind." So he came up with the idea of simply giving ordinary citizens the opportunity to try out the new technology. According to his observations, many people are afraid of technology, fearing, for example, that robots or artificial intelligence could take away their jobs. Yet digitalization offers more opportunities than risks: "We will hardly be able to overcome challenges such as limiting climate change without modern, digital technologies."

The corona crisis in Germany has not only shown how much the country is lagging behind in terms of digitalization, but also how great the scepticism of many people towards modern technology and science is, says Lin-Hi. The Robolab is therefore an attempt to increase the acceptance of modern technology in society.

There should not only be opportunities for this in large metropolitan areas, but also in more rural regions. This is one of the reasons why 'Moin Veroza' was set up in the district town of Vechta.

Reimer, who manages the Robolab, reports that there is great interest. Workshops have already been held with retirement homes and companies, and schools have already expressed interest. Many families with children have also asked for appointments.