| NSF Org: |
IIS Division of Information & Intelligent Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | March 9, 2016 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | February 20, 2018 |
| Award Number: | 1560219 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Wendy Nilsen
wnilsen@nsf.gov (703)292-2568 IIS Division of Information & Intelligent Systems CSE Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering |
| Start Date: | March 15, 2016 |
| End Date: | February 29, 2020 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $230,400.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $230,400.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
712 BROADWAY ST S MENOMONIE WI US 54751-2458 (715)232-1123 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
WI US 54751-0790 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | RSCH EXPER FOR UNDERGRAD SITES |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.070 |
ABSTRACT
REU Site: Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Robotics for Assistive Technology
This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site award funds a new REU site focused on Robotics in Assistive Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Robotics has potential appeal across a wide range of disciplines, especially as robots become increasingly integrated into society, performing useful tasks in the home and elsewhere. The REU site will provide 8-week interdisciplinary research experiences in robotics targeting first generation, underrepresented students, and students from institutions with limited research opportunities. Students and faculty will participate in professional development, interdisciplinary data sharing, and research activities designed to empower and prepare students for advanced degrees and careers in engineering. This project will make a meaningful impact in how we apply robots in enhancing our quality of life. It is imperative that we provide a larger pool of individuals trained in the field of robotics to address the increasing number of national needs.
This is a new REU proposal in the area of assistive robotics. The proposed research projects for participants focus on several areas such as dynamic model design, control, human-machine communication, teleoperation, and wireless control. The proposed comprehensive three stage program touches all components of an REU site from introductory workshops for the basic concepts to the preparation of their final research report that could lead to a publication. The PI is an expert in the area of assistive technologies and the other faculty members are experts in the areas of rehabilitation, robotics, and bio-sensing. This REU site provides modern facilities and professional mentors to guide undergraduates in explorations of real-world problems related to robotics in assistive technology. Students will learn how to use current tools and techniques to solve those problems through exciting research projects across a wide range of research topics. The goal of the site is to increase participation of first generation, underrepresented minorities, women and persons with disabilities, and provide opportunities for students from schools with limited research opportunities. The students will participate in research and professional development activities all designed to achieve the goals of retaining and graduating undergraduate students in engineering and increasing recruitment of students into graduate programs.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The goal of this project was to establish the REU Site: Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Robotics for Assistive Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout), which was an interdisciplinary program, involving faculty and researchers from Department of Engineering and Technology (ET) and Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI). Over the 3-year period (2016-2018), this program recruited and hosted 24 students with diverse backgrounds to participate in an intensive 8-week summer program.
The research students who participated in this program received training in research and development processes with a focus on appropriate assistive technology. Interaction and collaboration with diverse stakeholders was included as part of this experience. The researchers worked with experts from engineering, rehabilitation, and social services. The researchers also gained direct experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Results and project outcomes were disseminated locally through research presentations. Selected project outcomes were published more broadly at an international conference and through a widely distributed scholarly journal. Specifically, the results of the development of a continuum robotic manipulator were published and these results contribute to the general understanding of low-cost, flexible manipulator design. All design resources were made publicly available alongside this publication, enabling other researchers in this space to replicate and expand upon this work.
Last Modified: 03/03/2020
Modified by: Devin R Berg
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