Press Release

Robots in Space, Underwater, in the Air and on Land Demonstrated at the University of Maryland

MEDIA ADVISORY  September 17, 2012

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

COLLEGE PARK, Md.:

WHAT: Sixteen laboratories involved in robotics research at the University of Maryland will be offering tours and demonstrations on Friday, September 21, 2012. Researchers and students will be available for interviews, and robots from UMD’s five areas of research will be demonstrated:

•  Robots that collaborate in teams to accomplish tasks

•  Medical robots used in surgery, diagnosis and drug delivery

•  Extremely small robots that can manipulate biological cells or mimic insects

•  Robots built to withstand the harsh conditions of outer space and deep-sea exploration

•  Autonomous robotic ground, water and air vehicles

Demonstrations of particular visual interest:

•     In the university’s 367,000-gallon neutral buoyancy research facility: autonomous underwater robotic vehicles that move in formations and an award-winning student autonomous underwater vehicle

•     Robots that can perform tasks in outer space and on other planets

•     A flying micro helicopter that coordinates with a ground vehicle

•     A robot that can climb stairs

•     Robot vehicles that navigate by themselves and communicate with each other

•     Alligator and caterpillar robots; flying micro air vehicles inspired by birds

•     Microrobots—no bigger than a thumb—that jump, run, and fly

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

A list of demonstrations is here: http://robotics.umd.edu/Md_robo_day/research.php

Videos of our robots in action are here: http://www.youtube.com/umdrobotics/

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 and biology.

WHEN: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend any of the laboratory demonstrations, which will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2012.

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.

More Information: 

Maryland Robotics Day website: http://robotics.umd.edu/Md_robo_day/index.php
Maryland Robotics Center website: http://robotics.umd.edu/