Carnegie Mellon University and
Caterpillar Inc. are joining forces to develop a new age of heavy machinery that will rely on robotics technology to improve safety and productivity in a variety of industries.
CMU and the leading maker of construction and mining machines in the world signed a three-year agreement for sponsored research that includes Caterpillar’s establishment of a Center of Excellence for Field Robotics and Automation. The center will be located in the next several months in close proximity to either the
National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) in Lawrenceville or the Oakland main campus, says John Bares, director of NREC.
Plans call for the initial hiring of five to 10 people in the fields of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering with the promise of more jobs in the future, Bares says.
The region should look at this as a good opportunity with a great company for the future of robotics,” Bares says. “This is a field that is in its early childhood and Caterpillar feels the time is right to begin developing these products. We’re confident that it also will provide Caterpillar with access to some of the best minds in the business.”
The research will include applications using advanced outdoor sensors, operator-assist systems, and increased autonomous capabilities that may be used for mining, timber, and landfill maintenance. Bares noted that the
Robotics Institute may choose to employ and test the equipment at its
Robot City site in Hazelwood.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: John Bares, NREC