22 October 2024, Tue |
7:44 PM
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), recognized as the world’s first graduate-level research institution solely focused on artificial intelligence (AI), has officially launched its comprehensive robotics program. This initiative aims to address advanced challenges in robot learning, humanoid robotics, human-computer interaction, and sensory awareness.
The newly established program includes extensive research and teaching laboratories designed for hands-on experimentation with humanoid walking and autonomous robots. It targets various sectors, including agriculture, logistics, and healthcare, while serving as a unique collaborative hub for faculty, researchers, students, and industry and government partners.
Professor Sami Haddadin, MBZUAI’s vice president for research, oversees the university’s research agenda, emphasizing the potential of robotics to revolutionize industries such as automotive, manufacturing, logistics, and medicine. “At MBZUAI, we aim to push boundaries further, creating AI systems that allow machines to learn at scale, operate smarter, and support humans in meaningful ways—essentially integrating AI into real-world applications,” he stated.
Founded in 2023, MBZUAI’s robotics department welcomed 18 students in August and anticipates growing its faculty to more than 15 members within the next two years. Professor Yoshihiko Nakamura, a renowned expert in humanoid robotics and human-robot interaction, is leading this expansion as the professor and chair of the robotics department.
Professor Nakamura remarked, “The Robotics Teaching Laboratory is not just a space; it’s the heart of our robotics program, where high-impact research, including robot learning and algorithms, is brought to life through experimentation. While robotics is our focus, it’s the human collaboration and diverse skills that drive our success.”
Research interests within the department cover a broad spectrum, including deep learning, robot-assisted surgery, quadruped locomotion, precision agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Prior to joining MBZUAI, Nakamura dedicated 33 years to the University of Tokyo and is recognized as a leading figure in his field. Meanwhile, Haddadin has founded and directed TUM’s Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), which is ranked among the world’s top institutions for robotics and AI research.
For more information about MBZUAI’s innovative robotics program, visit their official website.
