Engineering Conference Looks At Robotics

Published: May 31, 2007

TAMPA - Engineers from across the state gathered Thursday to explore new ways to make robots a more active part of our daily lives.

The University of South Florida Robotics Conference, which continues today, includes more than 100 academics and students who are sharing ideas about everything from micromachines to robots in space.

One area of research is how robots can serve people with disabilities. In Thursday's demonstration, "Dancing with Technology," students and instructors from the USF dance department used Segways and specially equipped wheelchairs to show how technology and art can marry, and how robots can assist dancers with physical limitations.

The dance will be repeated in the concert "Under Construction," featuring the Bay Area Dance Co. on June 9 at 8 p.m. in Theatre I on the USF campus. For information, call (813) 974-2311.

Kurt Loft