Clark School Press Release Story

They Fly, Swim, Jump, Race!

Robotic Technology on Display at the University of Maryland

MEDIA ADVISORY  August 31, 2011

CONTACT:
Rebecca Copeland
301-405-6602
rebeccac@umd.edu

WHAT: Nineteen laboratories involved in robotics research at the University of Maryland will be open for tours and demonstrations.

Live demonstrations of particular visual interest:

• Medical robots compatible with MRI technology that can be used for biopsies and neurosurgery; brain-machine interfaces for restoring the ability to walk
• Using brainwaves to control a micro rotor vehicle’s flight
• Robot vehicles that navigate by themselves and communicate with each other
• Robots inspired by alligators and caterpillars, and flying micro air vehicles that mimic birds
• In the university’s 367,000-gallon neutral buoyancy research facility: autonomous underwater robotic vehicles that move in formations, a spacecraft servicing robot, free-flying spacecraft, and an award-winning student autonomous underwater vehicle
• Microrobots—no bigger than a thumb—that jump, run, and fly

A complete list of participating labs and their demonstrations is available here.

Information on the research in Maryland Robotics Center laboratories is available here.

WHO: Faculty, students and research scientists from the University of Maryland will be explaining and demonstrating their work. Fields represented include aerospace engineering, bioengineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, biology and kinesiology.

WHEN: On Friday, Sept. 9: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend any of the laboratory demonstrations, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

Directions to Parking (CALL AHEAD for a parking code and specific directions)

WHY: The University of Maryland is a leader in multiple areas of robotics research and its Maryland Robotics Center is a home for researchers, students and their projects. Maryland Robotics Day is a showcase of the university’s robotics research in medical robotics; unmanned vehicles; miniature robotics; robotics for extreme environments; and collaborative, cooperative, networked robotics.

MORE INFO:

Maryland Robotics Day website

Maryland Robotics Center website