VISITORS to the University of Bolton will be given a glimpse into tomorrow's world — by two robots

The incredible machines, which can be programmed to walk and talk, will lead a question and answer session about a new school being built on campus.

The 58cm-tall Nao robots will be the main attraction at tomorrow's open day about the new University Technical College (UTC), and are designed to help young people to develop the skills they need for the future.

Due to open this September, the school will specialise in health sciences and engineering technologies, and has bought the £4,000 robots to develop students' programming skills and their understanding of robotics.

They will use them as part of their GCSE and A-level computer science studies by applying their maths and physics classes to explore the realities of computer programming.

Dr Zubair Hanslot, Provost of the University of Bolton and Project Director for UTC Bolton, said: "Robots are a common and increasingly important part of the modern world. Working with the Nao robots will give students practical experience of how they work and an insight into creating computer programmes to control them.”

The lifelike robots will also be taken to local primary schools to help younger children to develop an interest in science.

Dr Hanslot, said: “Computer code is at the heart of everyday objects from the central heating in your home to the navigation system in an airliner.

"Our students will get the chance to develop practical coding skills which will prepare them for university and well paid professional jobs in health sciences and engineering technologies.”

Nao Robots were developed in France in 2006 by Aldebaran.

At the open day, UTC Bolton will launch a competition to name the two robots.

Names can be submitted on the UTC Bolton website. The winners will be announced on February 20 and will each receive a £20 Amazon gift voucher.