NASA funding is being utilized to develop a robotics laboratory that will support the development of a curriculum for advanced research in robotics, provide a facility for education in the field of intelligent robotics, and promote strong interest in the study of robotics for K-12 students. The goal is to provide a major thrust for students to pursue their education in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering and to help them prepare for their future in diverse areas of science and technology.

The selection of a wide range of laboratory equipment is consistent with the concepts of promoting high levels of creative thinking, and provides clear opportunities for students and researchers the facility to develop state-of-the-art technologies in intelligent robotics. The focus of the laboratory is to develop bio-inspired technologies and systems for use in a wide range of robotic platforms ranging in use here on Earth, to myriads of possible applications in deep space planetary exploration. The underlying philosophy of the robotics laboratory is to stimulate high levels of creative thinking through a challenge to mimic biological systems.

The overall goal is to advance the state-of-the-art in see-through-the-sensor technologies and related robotic platforms.

Read about the RioRoboLab equipment.