National Robotics Week is April 7-15: Events to be held in all 50 states

National Robotics Week is April 7-15: Events to be held in all 50 states

Companies, universities, and organizations are expected to take part in annual celebration of technology

BY JEFFREY BAUSCH

National Robotics Week is designed to inspire students about STEM or, as it’s perhaps better known, the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This is the third time it’s being held and this year it is expected that robotics companies, universities, and organizations will host robotics-based demonstrations and activities across all 50 states.

National Robotics Week will take place April 7-15.

As a matter of fact, there are more than 135 regional events and activities already being prepared. Each event offers opportunities for attendees to interact with robots in hands-on learning environments. There will also be panel discussions, robotic competitions, introductory courses, educational workshops, demonstrations, lab tours, networking events, and more.

iRobot

Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot Corp. is a founding co-sponsor of National Robotics Week, and actively promotes robots as a mainstay of 21st -century American innovation for its ability to inspire and advance technology education.

More specifically, the company runs an educational outreach initiative called “Starter Programs for the Advancement of Robotics Knowledge” (SPARK). The hope is that SPARK-based specialty events like those which will be held this upcoming week will inspire young students to choose careers in robotics and become future roboticists.

“Robots are a part of our daily lives, providing smarter ways to clean our homes, protect those in harm’s way and extend the independence of our increasing aging population,” said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot. “A celebration of U.S. talent and ingenuity, National Robotics Week has emerged as an important platform to highlight the growing importance of robotics. iRobot is extremely proud to be a part of this important initiative through our SPARK program.”

This year’s highlight events

During National Robotics Week, there will be a TON of public events and activities held in cities — and online — all across the country. Some of the highlights include:

Lego Robotics Day Camp

April 7, 10am – 3pm

Thanksgiving Point Institute (Lehi, Utah)

Event description: Join Thanksgiving Point Institute in celebrating Robotics Week by attending a Lego Robotics Day camp! There’s something for all ages!

Introduction in Self-awareness of Robots

April 8, 1:00pm – 6:30pm

Storming Robots (Branchburg, NJ)

Event description: Introduce the coolness of programming self-awareness for the robot! Free 30 minutes introductory session. You will have the opportunity to program the robot to react to its environment utilizing sensor feedback.

2012 Michigan National Robotics Week

April 9, 9am – 5pm

University of Michigan

Event description: Join us to learn about the amazing advances in robotics that are happening right here in Michigan and learn how robotics will help shape the future of our state.

Career Opportunities in Robotics

April 10, 12pm – 1pm

Online Event: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/372797441

Event description: Find out how to advance a career where engineering meets robotics, including business, military and consumer applications. Robotic Industries Association members comprise a panel that addresses career options from university and research work to cutting edge applications in industry and beyond. Engineers, faculty and others interested in engineering career development will discover exciting robotic opportunities in education and research, industry, simulation and emerging mobile applications presented during this webinar.

Drexel Robotics Open House

April 11, 3pm – 6pm

Drexel University

Event description: Tours of Drexel University’s various robotics labs. Two tours daily each starting at 3pm and 4:30pm respectively.

USC Robotics Open House

April 12, 10am – 4pm

University of Southern California

Event description: Open house in the robotics research laboratories at the University of Southern California, in downtown Los Angeles. Visitors will be able to check out and interact with the latest research robots from USC, meet students and professors from the USC research labs, and discuss robotics research and education. For all ages and anyone interested in robotics!

Robotics at National Air and Space Museum

April 13, 10am – 3pm

National Air and Space Museum

Event description: University robot teams will be openly presenting their robots to the public. This educational event, organized by local company Infamous Robotics LLC, invites children of all ages and adults to come learn, ask questions, and see first-hand at this unique event what goes into these robotic projects.

2012 Greater Chicago Botball Tournament

Apr 14, 2012

Tarkington Park, Chicago

Event description: The Botball Educational Robotics Program gives students skills, experience, and opportunities to succeed as they work in teams to design, build and program a pair of autonomous robots for regional and international competitions. All regional Botball tournaments are free and open to the public.

Florida Tech VTOL Competition

April 15, 9am – 1pm

Florida Institute of Technology

Event description: Two teams from Florida Tech in a design competition to create an autonomous vertical takeoff vehicle to navigate a grid and locate a person in distress.

Events don’t end April 15: they actually extend to April 28, with activities being held everywhere from New York to Hawaii. To learn more and see what’s going on in your neighborhood, head to: NationalRoboticsWeek.org/events

Why this week matters

The overall goal of having a National Robotics Week is to increase public awareness about the growing importance of robots in education, industry, and the future of the U.S. economy.

In 2009, Congress established National Robotics Week as the second week in April. It was done to recognize and support this growing sector of the U.S. economy. Since its establishment three years ago, robotic experts across the industry and academia have partnered together to build up what is now a national platform for this technology.

“Robotics play a vital role in a broad array of our leading domestic industries and have spurred countless advances in health care, manufacturing and laboratory research, while also providing life-saving technology for our military personnel on the front lines,” said Representative Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.). “The robotics industry creates jobs that help the U.S. maintain a competitive advantage in the innovation economy.”

To learn more, visit NationalRoboticsWeek.org ■