They fly, swim, jump, race!

Robotic technology goes on display at the University of Maryland

MEDIA ADVISORY  September 9, 2010

CONTACT:
Melissa Corley
301 405 6501
mcorley@umd.edu

WHAT: Sixteen laboratories involved in robotics research at the University of Maryland will be open for tours and demonstrations on Friday, Sept. 10.

Live demonstrations of particular visual interest:

• Flying micro air vehicles; using brainwaves to control a rotor vehicle’s flight

• Bio-inspired robots that mimic the movements of birds, ants, caterpillars, alligators, crabs, fleas, inchworms, and bees

• Autonomous underwater robotic vehicles that move in formations

• Robots for space exploration

• An award-winning student autonomous underwater vehicle

• Medical robots compatible with MRI technology that can be used for biopsies and neurosurgery

A complete list of participating labs and their demonstrations is available here: http://robotics.umd.edu/Md_robo_day/research_original.php

Information on the research in Maryland Robotics Center laboratories is available here: http://robotics.umd.edu/research/labs.php

WHO: Faculty, students and research scientists from the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences will be explaining and demonstrating their work. Fields represented include aerospace engineering, bioengineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering.

WHEN: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend any portion of the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Laboratory tours will be held *only* between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The hour of 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. will be devoted to presentations, including a keynote talk on "Robotics: Successes and Challenges" by Dr. Tom Wagner, Vice President and Technical Director of iRobot.

WHERE: University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

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

WHY: The University of Maryland is a leader in multiple areas of robotics research and has recently formed the Maryland Robotics Center as 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

About the A. James Clark School of Engineering

The University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering is a premier program, ranked among the top 20 in the world. Located just a few miles from Washington, D.C., the Clark School is at the center of a constellation of high-tech companies and federal laboratories, offering students and faculty access to unique professional opportunities.

Our broad spectrum of academic programs, including the world’s only accredited undergraduate fire protection engineering program, is complemented by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, early hands-on educational experiences, and participation in national and international competitions.

The Clark School is leading research advancements in aerospace, bioengineering, robotics, nanotechnology, disaster resilience, energy and sustainability, and cybersecurity. From the universal product code to satellite radio, SMS text messaging to the implantable insulin pump, our students, faculty, and alumni are engineering life-changing innovations for millions. Learn more at www.eng.umd.edu.