Minister Dara Calleary high-fives humanoid robot as national hub network marks five years
By Shubhi Mishra
It’s not every day a Government Minister high-fives a robot. But that was the scene at this year’s National Hub Summit in Ballinasloe, where Adam once again attracted plenty of attention.
More than 200 delegates from across Ireland gathered at the Shearwater Hotel in Co Galway on 22 October for the summit, hosted by Connected Hubs.
The event brought together representatives from across the hub network to discuss the future of work, digital innovation and the role of hubs in communities around the country.
Adam attended the summit with Rasbot, the robotics company launched by Irish technology firm EVAD Technology Group.
His appearance marked the first time a humanoid robot had featured at the event, drawing crowds of curious delegates throughout the day.
A high-five with the Minister
L – R. Minister Dara Calleary – Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Teresa Hooks, Head of Connected Hubs, Western Development Commission; Allan Mulrooney, CEO, Western Development Commission
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD stopped to meet Adam during the summit.
The pair exchanged a wave and a high-five as delegates gathered to capture the moment on their phones.
Adam also took to the main stage alongside Ian Mahon, chief operating officer of EVAD Technology Group, for a session exploring a question that could become increasingly relevant to workplaces across Ireland: could a robot help run your hub?
The live demonstration offered delegates a practical look at how robotics, artificial intelligence and automation could support everyday tasks in workplaces and community hubs.
L – R: Mary Hurley, Secretary General, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Allan Mulrooney, CEO, Western Development Commission; Minister Dara Calleary – Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Teresa Hooks, Head of Connected Hubs, Western Development Commission
A new strategy for Ireland’s hubs
Adam wasn’t the only talking point of the day.
Minister Calleary also launched Connecting Locally – A Strategy for the National Hub Network 2026–2030, setting out 36 measures aimed at strengthening Ireland’s hub network over the next five years.
The strategy focuses on developing hub working, improving digital access in rural communities and supporting small businesses.
The Minister highlighted the role hubs have played in responding to changes in how and where people work, creating new opportunities for people, businesses and communities across Ireland.
The strategy also reflects the wider importance of remote and hybrid working, with hubs offering people alternatives to commuting and opportunities to work closer to home.
Five years of Connected Hubs
This year’s summit also marked five years of Connected Hubs.
What began as a pilot programme led by the Western Development Commission has grown into a national network of more than 400 hubs.
The network connects workspaces and communities across Ireland, supporting remote workers, entrepreneurs and businesses while helping people access professional facilities closer to where they live.
The summit provided an opportunity for hub operators and representatives to exchange ideas and explore how technology, digital connectivity and new ways of working could shape the network’s future.
What comes next for robotics?
L-R: Paddy Mahon, Evad Technology Group; Adam Bot, Rasbot; Teresa Hooks, Head of Connected Hubs, Western Development Commission; Ian Mahon Chief Operating Officer, Evad Technology Group
For EVAD Technology Group and Rasbot, Adam’s appearance offered delegates an opportunity to see humanoid robotics in action and consider how the technology might be used in real-world
settings.
As artificial intelligence and automation continue to develop, demonstrations like this are bringing the conversation beyond the technology industry and into workplaces and communities.
With Ireland’s hub network looking towards its next five years, the potential role of emerging technologies in supporting businesses, remote workers and local communities is likely to remain part of the conversation.