The University of Michigan Board of Regents unanimously voted to create a Department of Robotics, indicating the institution’s commitment to becoming a leader in the field. U-M joins over 20 engineering schools now offering courses to study robotics and line up with predictions noting that by 2025, the service robotics and global industrial markets will be worth a projected $310 billion. Lead by Director of the Robotics Institute Jessy Grizzle, U-M can lead the inflection point through robust research, material advancements, and social practices guided by ethical standards.
Cutting-Edge Research at the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a place of innovation and exploration, exemplified by the Mini-Cheetah robot developed by Robert Coelius. This incredible machine showcases the cutting-edge research being done at the university and serves as a testament to the remarkable potential for progress that exists within the walls of this esteemed institution.
Pioneering Step in Robotics Field
The University of Michigan Board of Regents has taken a pioneering step in the robotics field by voting in favor of creating a new Department of Robotics. This move positions U-M as one of the world’s top 10 national engineering schools, offering a curriculum that specifically focuses on robotics. The demand for qualified robotics specialists is steadily increasing, with 2018 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating an impressive 13% growth. In 2025, the service robotics and global industrial markets are expected to reach an estimated $310 billion. With this progressive decision, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering anticipates that U-M will become a leader in the field of robotics, providing graduates with the opportunity to design socially equitable solutions to challenging issues.
The discussions at engineering schools around the country are significantly increasing in regard to robotics as its own discipline, falling between computer science and mechanical engineering. It has become an inflection point for the field of robotics, with the University of Michigan’s Robotics Institute taking the lead in its future. Jessy Grizzle, director of the institute and Elmer G. Gilbert Distinguished University Professor of Engineering, stated that this is a proud and positive step for the university and the entire field of robotics.
The Robotics Institute is home to 14 departments, 30 core faculty and 42 affiliate faculty from across the university, all dedicated to leveraging the resources to accelerate work in building smart machines that serve society and respect humanity. This new department puts people first, rather than technology, and is coined as robotics with respect.
The University of Michigan is proud to be a leader in robotics research and development, with the Ronald D. And Regina C. McNeil Walking Robotics Laboratory in the Ford Robotics Building as an example. Digit, a bipedal robot, is tested there to allow for a variety of robots to function in various environments.
The 134,000-square-foot facility cost $75 million and currently houses a graduate program with more than 200 doctoral and master’s students enrolled. It is a symbol of U-M’s commitment to advancing the field of robotics and providing its students with the best possible education.
With the new department, the university will develop a four-year undergraduate degree and over the next three to five years will hire 15 additional robotics experts. This demonstrates Michigan’s dedication to being at the forefront of robotics excellence and cultivating leaders who will address the needs of the 21st century.
