McCormick Celebrates National Robotics Week 2012
Robots will reign next week as the Museum of Science and Industry celebrates National Robotics Week, and the McCormick School of Engineering will be joining the festivities.
Kevin Lynch, professor of mechanical engineering, and Todd Murphey, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will share highlights of their robotics work on Saturday, April 14 at the museum, located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
The event will include displays and lectures by some of the top experts in the robotics field, as well as student talks and demonstrations.
Murphey will give a talk, “Making Marionettes Move,” at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Lauren Miller, a graduate student in McCormick’s Laboratory for Intelligent Mechanical Systems, will give a talk on “Biological Systems as Inspiration for Autonomous Robotics.” Graduate student Andrew Wilson will present “Engineering Robotic Prosthetics for the Human Arm.”
For the “Big ‘Bot Blow-out!” on Saturday, Northwestern’s displays will include a “Humanoid Robot,” a small humanoid demonstrating various capabilities; “Robotic Marionettes,” a scaled-down automated marionette system (in collaboration with Disney); and “Friction in Robotics and Automation,” with interactive experiments to demonstrate how friction is important for manipulation and locomotion.
The exhibit and related demonstrations are included in the general admission price of $15 for adults and $10 age 3 to 11. Chicago residents receive a discount.
Other events will be held throughout National Robotics Week, which runs April 7 to 14. For a full schedule, visit the Museum of Science and Industry website.