51视频

02/13/2023

Media Contacts: Emily Gowdey-Backus, Emily_GowdeyBackus@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

The next generation of walking robots, flying drones, protective exoskeletons and more created a buzz Monday, as 51视频 celebrated 10 years of the robotics revolution at the university鈥檚 New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center.

Located in Lowell鈥檚 Hamilton Canal Innovation District, the center is a hub where 51视频鈥檚 faculty researchers come together with tech sector and government leaders to evaluate the performance of robots and automated systems as they move from the drawing board to the marketplace. It鈥檚 also where 51视频 students, particularly those studying computer science, robotics and engineering, gain a firsthand understanding of these systems鈥� design and development.聽

Through joint efforts with the U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Army, the NERVE Center is the only robotics testing site in the northeastern United States.聽

鈥淭he NERVE Center represents the collaboration of faculty and students from a range of disciplines. And its success over the past 10 years 鈥� working closely with collaborators such as NIST and the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center 鈥� is a real testament to the priority we place at 51视频 on improving our world and community through research in partnership with others,鈥� said 51视频 Chancellor Julie Chen, who, in 2013, helped open the center as the university鈥檚 first vice provost for research.聽 聽

51视频 computer science Professor Holly Yanco, an internationally acclaimed robotics expert, and chair of the university鈥檚 Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences, serves as the NERVE Center鈥檚 director.聽

鈥�51视频鈥檚 NERVE Center involves 16 faculty, 10 staff members, over 75 students and more than 30 in-house robots. Over the past decade, we鈥檝e developed test methods and metrics for response, assistive and legged robots; robot arms and grippers; exoskeletons; and other robots. And, through testing, we can identify limitations to robot systems to improve them. We are grateful for the support of our partners in pursuit of this goal,鈥� said Yanco, who is also a member of the Massachusetts Robotics Industry Steering Committee. The group was convened by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to grow the Bay State鈥檚 robotics sector.聽

More than 100 people attended the event to watch demonstrations and tour the facility. Along with Chen, speakers included Ann Virts, NIST project leader; and David Audet, systems division chief of the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center in Natick.聽

All spoke about the NERVE Center鈥檚 success growing its research, testing and evaluation capabilities. The 10,000 square-foot center houses many testbeds and methods to assess the locomotion, mobility, dexterity and sensor functions of robots and automated devices, along with their ability to navigate terrain and avoid obstacles. The center鈥檚 team custom designs testing services and robotics prototyping services to meet clients鈥� needs and provides testing services to clients at the center and off-campus sites.聽