--- title: BotsAndUs build a social robot on Ubuntu description: As robotics become increasingly prevalent in all sectors and expand outside the manufacturing industry, it is no surprise that IDC predicts worldwide spending on robotics to reach $103bn in 2018. A UK based startup, BotsAndUs, are looking to capitalise on this opportunity and have created an advanced social robot – Bo – primarily for use […] url: https://canonical.com/blog/botsandus-build-a-social-robot-on-ubuntu?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Sarah Dickinson](https://canonical.com/blog/author/sarahfd "More about Sarah Dickinson") 16 April 2018 # BotsAndUs build a social robot on Ubuntu [developers](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/developers) [IoT](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/iot) [robotics](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/robotics) [Ubuntu](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu) --- Share the article As robotics become increasingly prevalent in all sectors and expand outside the manufacturing industry, it is no surprise that [IDC](https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS43519218) predicts worldwide spending on robotics to reach $103bn in 2018. A UK based startup, [BotsAndUs](https://www.botsandus.com/), are looking to capitalise on this opportunity and have created an advanced social robot – [Bo](https://www.botsandus.com/products/bo/) – primarily for use in hospitality and retail scenarios. Bo has already been used in numerous scenarios and by some large brands including BT and Etisalat as well as being trialled in large UK shopping centres such as Lakeside. Creating a social robot that also has AI capabilities for advanced face to face interaction is no easy feat especially when a combination of hardware and software, including a RealSense Depth camera system and ROS, needs to be seamlessly integrated. For that reason, BotsAndUs required a widely supported and versatile OS so turned to Ubuntu to build Bo. *“Ubuntu’s versatility is superb. It gives us so much freedom when it comes to choosing hardware and software, and integrating the new technology with Bo is quick and easy.”*Adrian Negoita, CTO, BotsAndUs Download the case study below to find out more about how Ubuntu eased BotsAndUs path to production. First Name: Last Name: Work email: Company Name: Job Title: Phone Number: I agree to receive information about Canonical’s products and services. In submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical’s Privacy Notice](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy/contact) and [Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy). Download ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### Arduino® VENTUNO™ Q is available for pre-order with Ubuntu pre-installed](https://canonical.com/blog/arduino-ventuno-q-is-available-for-pre-order-with-ubuntu-pre-installed) London, UK – August 25, 2026 – Following our initial collaboration announcement in March 2026, Canonical and Arduino (a subsidiary of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.) are excited... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 25 August 2026 [### Advantech AOM-2721 is now Ubuntu Certified](https://canonical.com/blog/advantech-aom-2721-ubuntu-certified) Canonical announces that the Advantech AOM-2721 is officially joining the list of Ubuntu Certified Hardware. [Mikhail Khazov](https://canonical.com/blog/author/khazov-m) 13 August 2026 [### Canonical becomes Gold Sponsor of Trifecta Tech Foundation](https://canonical.com/blog/canonical-becomes-gold-sponsor-of-trifecta-tech-foundation) Canonical is pleased to announce it is now a Gold Sponsor of the Trifecta Tech Foundation, a non-profit that creates open source building blocks for critical infrastructure... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 30 June 2026 [### Ubuntu Summit 26.04: connected by open source](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-summit-26-04-connected-by-open-source) What an incredible experience! Ubuntu Summit 26.04 has officially drawn to a close, but the energy from our global community is still buzzing – in the comments section, on... [ilvipero](https://canonical.com/blog/author/ilvipero) 22 June 2026