RENO (AP) - The University of Nevada, Reno has showcased its latest research on drones and robots in an effort to raise awareness about the school's new program to spur their development.
About a dozen university scientists and engineers on Friday demonstrated various research projects that they hope will lead to the commercialization of drones, robots and other unmanned autonomous systems.
Among others, research projects are underway to use drones for commercial delivery service, monitoring rangeland, managing livestock, guiding blind athletes and disaster response by emergency managers and industry.
At the display to the news media, the University of Nevada, Reno researchers also showed off robots that can serve cookies or work on assembly lines.
The university's new Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center is seeking to expand private-public partnerships in the development of autonomous vehicle systems.
Warren Rapp, the center's business director, said the university sought to give the media a chance to see what its scientists and engineers are doing in the area of advanced technologies.
"We also wanted to give a vision of what the new (center) is going to represent not just for the campus but also for the local community, state of Nevada and the global community," he told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
State officials excited about Nevada's selection as one of six national drone-testing sites are trying to capitalize on the futuristic industry they think will bring billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to the state.
Drones, once associated primarily with hunting down terrorists, also are now the focus of research for their use in fighting fires and monitoring wildlife habitat.
"It's definitely a turning point," said Eelke Folmer, an associate professor of computer science and engineering who is researching the use of guide drones for the blind. "We're trying to improve the reputation of drones and show their humanitarian applications."[[In-content Ad]]
