To advance the development of co-robots to act in support of individuals or groups the National Science Foundation received funding from several federal agencies. The National Robotics Initiative seeks to accelerate innovation and development of robots that can act symbiotically with humans.
The goal of the National Robotics Initiative is to accelerate the development and use of robots in the United States that work beside, or cooperatively with, people. Innovative robotics research and applications emphasizing the realization of such co-robots acting in direct support of and in a symbiotic relationship with human partners is supported by multiple agencies of the federal government including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this program is the development of this next generation of robotics, to advance the capability and usability of such systems and artifacts, and to encourage existing and new communities to focus on innovative application areas.
Research experts in robotics, engineering, and cognitive science will collaborate to extend human performance.
Robotics Programs at UWF
The University of West Florida hosts the Emerald Coast BEST Robotics hub, the only BEST hub in the State of Florida. Emerald Coast BEST held its fifth annual competition in the Field House at the UWF Pensacola campus on October 29, 2011.
The UWF Unmanned Systems Program has captured the interests of thousands of visitors to the School of Science and Engineering since it opened in January 2010. Located on the first floor of the building, the lab currently supports an aerial, ground and tour robot team. In addition to sharing their enthusiasm with guests, students are now receiving academic credit for their participation in these teams. This year’s reviewers included representatives from the Air Force Research Laboratory, BAE Systems, Micro Systems, US Navy, Tektronix and independent contractors.
UWF faculty and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) researchers collaborate on a variety of robot research projects. These range from the development of avatars to assist the home bound elderly to unmanned vehicles.
