Cat Royale became a finalist in the Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub’s 2025 AI & Robotics Research Awards in the Best Demonstration category.
The AI & Robotics Research Awards aim to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of researchers, leaders and collaborators driving innovation in trustworthy autonomous systems. These awards will honour groundbreaking research, impactful industry partnerships, inspiring leadership, and meaningful contributions to the community.
In the 2023 work, three cats lived inside an environment created by the artists. For 12 days Ghostbuster, Pumpkin and Clover spent time inside each day. Their every need was catered for. They had food, drink and air conditioning. They had high ledges to watch from; cubbyholes to snooze in and a floor to ceiling scratch post. Every surface was covered in carpet so that they could climb and explore freely.
At the centre of the room was a robot arm controlled by an AI, connected to a computer vision system. Every few minutes the AI instructed the robot to offer a game to the cats. Over time it learned which games each cat liked best.
The robot threw balls or dropped them into a ball run. It dangled feathers, offered snacks and introduced a cardboard box. It rang bells and dragged a toy mouse.
To ensure the comfort and safety of the cats, experts in animal welfare were involved in the design of the project from the start. Senior staff from the RSPCA were supervising throughout the 12 days.
Watch the Cat Royale Daily Highlights:
Cat Royale was made possible as part of Blast Theory’s role as Cultural Ambassadors for the Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub. The work was created as part of an extensive collaboration with researchers at the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham; and with Professor Clara Mancini at the Open University and Professor Daniel Mills at the University of Lincoln.
In March and April 2023, the work was presented as a time delayed video stream at the World Science Fair in Brisbane to an audience of over 400,000 people. Daily highlight films were shown on YouTube and Facebook.
A seven hour film was created by the artists for the exhibition AI: Who’s Looking After Me? at Science Gallery London in June 2023.
