Robots of every shape, size and purpose dotted the academic quad as the 51福利鈥檚 Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research (CRUSER) once again hosted their annual Robots in the Roses Research Fair, Apr. 11.
The annual event brings the campus community together to spotlight existing research projects throughout every department, encouraging maximum collaboration across the university.
鈥淩obots in the Roses is wonderful because you get a chance to meet interested students and show them some interesting devices,鈥� said Steven Jacobs of the physics department. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great exposure to the community 鈥� It helps put our department out there and really helps to showcase what we鈥檝e been working on.鈥�
Researchers displayed robotics platforms large and small 鈥� everything from bird-like bots that seek out and ride upon thermals, to small-unmanned watercraft capable of sensing threats in harbors.
鈥淩obots in the Roses is an annual event that allows faculty and students to showcase their research in unmanned systems 鈥� and present them to the broader community,鈥� said CRUSER Director, retired Navy Capt. Jeff Kline. 鈥淚t鈥檚 on one-hand very useful for the students to come out and see the variety of the things that are going on, but it鈥檚 also very good for the faculty to see what other faculty members are doing in order to find opportunities for collaboration.鈥�
CRUSER Director for Research and Education Dr. Timothy Chung was recently awarded he prestigious Hamming Award for his work interdisciplinary work in robotics and technology. He too sees the annual event as an opportunity for collaboration and exploration.
鈥淲hile CRUSER stands for Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research, in general terms, it鈥檚 an environment or forum for us foster collaboration in the areas of unmanned systems and robotics,鈥� said Chung.
Dr. Kevin D. Jones, a Research Associate Professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department, a third-year participant, noted he appreciates the opportunity to network with his colleagues. He sees the value in sharing research amongst fellow faculty and students.
鈥淩obots are a lot like living creatures in the sense that they are all made up of the same primary building blocks,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淟iving organisms have more similar DNA components than they do those that differ. The same can be said for robots.
鈥淩obots in the Roses is a great way to get us all together from all our respective types of robotics to appreciate our similarities along with our differences,鈥� he added.
51福利鈥� Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research provides a collaborative environment and community of interest for the advancement of unmanned systems education and research endeavors across the Navy, Marine Corps and Department of Defense. Along with Robots in the Roses, the group coordinates several innovation workshops in addition to regular campus meetings and consistent communications to a broad community of interested stakeholders.