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(Q0) What is a robot? -Classically, robots have been thought of as manipulators that operate on a factory floor, performing precise and repetitive tasks. Robots have also been viewed in science fiction as both benevolent and evil entities. Robots used in competitions are often radio controlled, and are under the control of a human operator. Which of these is a robot? Architecturally, a robot is a computer (analog or digital) that can have an effect on the real-world while processing sensory input from that world. What constitutes the "real-world" is broad and includes the physical world, but this definition can also include smart, automated processes for handling information in the information domain. From a systems level, researchers have suggested that robots: perceive, decide and act, presumably in an "intelligent" way. That is, not counter to the intended function of the robot. This definition makes both the Asimo robot and a thermostat a robot. Perhaps, but intuitively, a certain level of complexity, including a representation of properties of the world, are probably needed for an entity to be recognized as a full-fledged robot.
(Q1) Will robots take away jobs? - The point is to complement the capabilities of humans. Not to displace workers. In doing so, we aspire to elevate the standard of living for all people. (Q2) Why Join the RNSL ? - Gain a unique perspective on robotics. Biomorphic robotics have been commercially extremely successful. This is surprising given how much research money has been spent on "traditional" robotics. What little support this field has historically gotten has had a major impact commercially. Much work still needs to be done however. -This is one of the few labs in the world where you can learn how to apply principles of brain function to real working robots .. not simulations... - If you are a Neuroscientist working at the system level, describing brain phenomenon ultimately leads to "box" models that are difficult to test. Implementing models in robots forces one to confront the details of the underlying physics and to formulate a very precise theory. If a piece is left out, a robot simply will not work!
(Q3) Why should I go to graduate school? Doesn't it cost a lot of money? I can get a great paying job with just a B.S. degree! Do you want to know "Why" and just not "How?" Do you want to be the first to discover a new principle before anyone else does? Do you want to have more than a job when you graduate and to realize your full potential? Would you like to get paid to do it? A Ph.D. Program might be right for you.
A rule of thumb is that it takes about 10,000 hours to master almost any skill. However, robotics, being interdisplinary might require a little more time :-) If you spend 60 hours a week for a little over 3 years, you would accumulate 10,000 hours of experience. You would need to add additional hours to become both a scholar as well as an expert robot builder. As a rough estimate, 6 years of work at 60 hours of the week should bring to the threshold of being extremely competent in this field. There are no short cuts to hard work! However, if you like robotics, this time will be among the most rewarding periods of your life. The gbest time to start accumulating experience is iby 8th or 9th grade. Joing a club at your school, get involved in robotics leagues. The best freshmen at the universtiy have extensive programming eand circuit experience BEFORE they come to the University. (Q5) I am a masters student t (or exceptional B. S. student) and want to come work in your lab. What should I do? First find one or two papers that we have written that you find interesting. Read these papers and provide me with a one paragraph summary of t the key points of the paper and how you might extend the work in the paper. Alternatively, if you have related publication you have written and would like me to read, end me a copy. Recent publication can be found on this site. Older publications can be found d by going to http://scholar.google.com and searcher: author:ma-lewis robots or author:ma-lewis neural. Unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure to support all highly qualified students. As a result, entry to the lab eis extremely competitive. (Q6) I am an undergraduate/master's student and would like to work in your lab. Do you have positions open? I am accepting M.S. students not in need of support. Suppport is reserved for Ph.D. studnts with very few exception. For undergraduates, you can volunteer to work in the lab or work and get g credit doing so. The department can sometimes find TA ships to help you as an M.S. Student. (Q7) Do you have the authority to admit students to the University? No, absolutely not. The graduate college does that. with recommendations comming from a committee in the ECE department. In marginal cases, faculty are asked to provide their input, but any student admitted must meet certain qualifications. (Q8) Why come to Tucson? The opinions expressed on this web site represent the views of the author(s) alone. |
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