A new bio-robotics lab that will teach
Lawrence Technological University students studying biomedical engineering and robotics engineering is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the DENSO North American Foundation.
The new human-robotic interaction facility is expected to be ready for learning by the end of 2013, says Lawrence Tech spokesperson Eric Pope, and prepares students to work with robots capable of high levels of artificial intelligence.
The lab is expected to build a relationship between the Southfield-based university and the manufacturing and medical care industries.
The new lab, as well as an existing lab, which is being updated, will be outfitted with wireless sensors, 3D technology, navigation control and software capable of guiding medical and manufacturing feats by guiding robots and their artificial intelligence.
The mission of the DENSO foundation is to advance innovation in engineering technology.
Eric Meyer, an LTU assistant professor who teaches biomedical engineering and developed the grant proposal, says in a statement that the goal is to build robots that can interact with humans effectively and safely. It's crucial because of the expanding use of robotic technology.
Faculty from several departments in LTU’s College of Engineering are working together to build an innovative, multidisciplinary engineering program that can help develop next-generation robotic systems.
Assistant professor Kun Hua works in LTU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and says in the same statement announcing the grant: “The use of sensors has taken robots to the next level of innovation. Sensors have increased the performance of robots through adaptive multimedia signal processing techniques, which allow the robots to perform several human functions."
Pope says the strength of LTU’s robotics engineering program was recently cited in
U.S. News & World Report's “Best Colleges 2014” guidebook.
Source: Eric Pope, spokesman, Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Kim North Shine
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