Princess Anne came face to face with an unusual greeting partner during her visit to Korea University in Seoul.
The princess shook hands with a humanoid robot as part of an engagement focused on the future of science and technology.
At the university’s Smart Mobility Lab, the Princess Royal watched as the advanced machine demonstrated its capabilities, moving quickly back and forth across the room before stopping to wave.
This unexpected gesture made Anne smile, who then stepped forward in her navy blue day gloves to shake the robot’s hand.
Anne is keenly interested in discussions about how the robot learns movement, including the use of trial and error methods and simulation techniques that allow it to develop and improve its capabilities.
Alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal also observed a two-armed robot working with a motion capture system, allowing her to learn more about developments in smart mobility and robotics.
After concluding her visit to South Korea, Princess Anne is expected to travel to Thailand on Thursday for the next leg of her overseas tour.
While in Thailand, The Princess Royal will visit a Bangkok school supported by Save the Children Thailand, meet the Thai Prime Minister and hold an audience with the King and Queen of Thailand.
