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Robotics Institute
Contact: Byron Spice, +1 412.268.9068, bspice@cs.cmu.eduCarnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute
Synopsis
Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute is a leader in autonomous mobile robots, computer vision, human-robot interaction, locomotion and real-world applications of robotic technology in mining, agriculture and manufacturing. One of the largest robotics education and research organizations in the world, the institute has an annual research budget of more than $55 million and more than 300 of its faculty, staff and students are working on more than 100 projects.
Overview
Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, a division of the School of Computer Science, was established in 1979 to conduct basic and applied research in robotics technologies and transfer them to industry to enhance productivity and product quality. Over time, its mission has broadened to include research and education that benefit society at large.
As the field of robotics has expanded, so has the need for trained scientists to advance and implement new robotic systems. In 1989, the institute created one of the world's first robotics doctoral programs. In 1998, a master's program was added to meet even greater demand.
Recent initiatives include the National Science Foundation-funded Quality of Life Technology Center, established jointly with the University of Pittsburgh, which uses information technology and robotic technology to help the elderly and people with disabilities live independently. Two programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are using robots to aid in the operation of tree fruit farms. A self-driving SUV called Boss, which won the $2 million DARPA Urban Challenge in 2007, is now being used to help develop collision-avoidance and autonomous driving technology for street vehicles. A robotic camera base, called GigaPan, enables anyone with a digital camera to create giant panoramas that can be explored via computer.
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