Robotics exhibit to showcase work from students

It’s not every day that an IU student is able to watch a self-driving golf cart or a saxophone-playing robot. That’s exactly why the cognitive science program is hoping for a high student turnout for Friday’s second annual robotics exhibition.\n“The purpose is to get students who are interested in robotics to find out about what is going on around campus in terms of robotics ... and to meet the local robotics community,” said Mike Brady, graduate student and Robotics Club Treasurer. “This is a social event as much as it is an exhibition.”\nThe exhibition will demonstrate work from three different sources. One features formal robotics research on campus where professors and graduate students will show off their work. Additional work comes from students in Q360 Autonomous Robotics, a new course that covers introductory mechanics and programming for robotics. The final source of work comes from projects developed by members of the IU Robotics Club.\n“(Last year’s) open house mostly featured commercially purchased robots,” said Randall Beer, IU cognitive science professor. “This year, we wanted to feature new robots that have either been built by IU students or are being used by IU students in ongoing research in the lab.”\nThis year’s event features a wide variety of original robots made at IU. Some of the exhibits include a Segway Personal Transporter, a six-legged robot that moves like an insect, an animatronic Elvis singing head and an oversized robotic hand.\n“The event should be particularly attractive to students who fancy themselves as inventors and innovators,” Brady said. “Robotics is really just a platform for learning about the technologies of the future.”\nBrady said the chief goal of the event is to bring together anyone interested in cognitive science to develop a community where \neveryone can learn from one another and further the knowledge of cognitive science.\n“I think it gives students a little break to enjoy an interesting afternoon before finals,” said Susan Towle, administrative assistant for the cognitive science program. “I am in charge of ordering the robots and working behind the scenes, so I am looking forward to seeing them this year.”\nThe event will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday on the eighth floor of the west wing in Eigenmann Hall. Refreshments and snacks will be offered to those in attendance.\n“All levels of experience, from beginner to guru, are welcome,” Brady said. “Most everyone has something to contribute, whether they know it or not.”