Northwestern to Lead $52 Million Robotics Research Center

Northwestern to Lead $52 Million Robotics Research Center

by John Conrad| Aug 21, 2024| NewsBrief

In a groundbreaking development for robotics research, Northwestern University has been selected to lead a new Engineering Research Center (ERC) focused on improving robot dexterity. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the center up to $52 million in funding, marking the first time Northwestern has led an ERC.

Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND)

The new center, named Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND), aims to revolutionize the capabilities of robots to amplify human labor. With an initial grant of $26 million for the first five years and the possibility of an additional $26 million for five more years, HAND will focus on developing dexterous robot hands that can assist humans in various fields.

J. Edward Colgate, a Walter P. Murphy Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern, will lead the center. "Rapid advances in artificial intelligence have created an incredible opportunity to make robot manipulators accessible to small American manufacturers, people with motor impairments, and many others who might benefit," Colgate stated.

Multi-Institutional Collaboration

The project brings together a consortium of institutions, with core partners including Carnegie Mellon University, Florida A&M, and Texas A&M. Additional support comes from Syracuse University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Goals and Potential Impact

HAND's primary objective is to develop robotic hands that are not only dexterous but also inexpensive, easy to operate, robust, durable, and mass-manufacturable. The potential applications are vast, ranging from manufacturing and caregiving to handling precious or dangerous materials.

Kevin Lynch, a professor of mechanical engineering at Northwestern and the center's research director, emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the project. The team includes experts in robotics, technology, education, policy, accessibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The anticipated outcomes of this research are significant:

• Increased worker productivity
• Improved job opportunities
• Reshoring of manufacturing
• Reduced supply chain vulnerability
• Enhanced food safety
• Improved quality of life
• Democratization of robotics benefits

A Milestone for Northwestern

Eric Perreault, Northwestern's vice president for research, hailed the NSF award as "a historic milestone that builds on Northwestern's well-recognized expertise in robotics and human-machine systems."

Christopher Schuh, dean of the McCormick School of Engineering, added, "Northwestern has long strived to provide national leadership in areas of the greatest societal and economic importance. The HAND ERC does just that, delivering a broad innovation ecosystem, united in purpose and mission, to realize robot dexterity."

NSF's Engineering Research Centers

The ERC program, established by the NSF in 1985, supports convergent research, education, and technology translation at U.S. universities. These centers bring together academia, industry, and government to produce transformational engineered systems and prepare future engineering leaders.

NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan emphasized the importance of ERCs, stating, "NSF Engineering Research Centers are powerhouses of discovery and innovation, bringing America's great engineering minds to bear on our toughest challenges."

As HAND begins its work, the robotics community eagerly anticipates the advancements and innovations that will emerge from this significant investment in the future of human-robot collaboration.

Read more on Northwestern's Website