Robots in the Real World

What if your day ran on robots? You wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee made by a humanoid robot perfectly synced with your morning routine. As you head out the door, your car is already on, ready to navigate streets and avoid traffic with time-saving precision. By the time you get to work, a robot assistant has tackled some of your to-do list, anticipating your needs before you even ask

While it may sound like a sci-fi movie, this robot-powered plot is already transforming daily life.

Robots have evolved from simple programmed tools into autonomous systems capable of adapting, learning and making decisions. They can assist in hospitals, power factories and even tend crops. But as robots take on more responsibilities, concerns grow about their ethical implications, safety and potential job displacement. How do humans ensure that these machines enhance, rather than disrupt, life?

Education and innovation are key. People can shape a future where robot technology enriches lives by pushing robotics research forward and training the next generation of skilled innovators. UCF is stepping up, preparing talent for the rapidly growing robotics industry, which is expected to soar from $78.4 billion in 2024 to $165.2 billion by 2029, according to a market report from the company BCC Research. With the Center for Research in Computer Vision, a highly successful student robotics club, and a new master’s in robotics and autonomous systems, UCF provides students and faculty with the ultimate launchpad to pioneer revolutionary robotic systems.

The Future Is Wired — and UCF Is Plugged In

Prospective college students scrolling through university degree lists may not yet find dedicated robotics degrees. Still, the growing demand for robotics engineers and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics across industries have prompted education institutions worldwide to introduce specialized courses and programs, equipping future visionaries to develop the robots that’ll redefine how humans work and live.

“Robotics used to be a field people entered after earning a master’s or [doctoral degree]. It was considered a somewhat [obscure] specialty,” says Gita Sukthankar, professor in the Department of Computer Science and director of the Intelligent Agents Lab, where AI and machine learning research are driving advancements in autonomous systems, human-robot interaction and more. “Now I have high school students who are interested in working in my lab and doing robotics.”

Since 2006 the closest thing to a robotics degree at UCF has been the intelligent robotic systems minor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Designed for students considering careers or graduate studies in robotics, the interdisciplinary minor offers a solid introduction to the field. While the minor primarily targets electrical, mechanical and computer engineering students — as well as computer science majors — any student who meets the prerequisites can declare it.

The minor, which Sukthankar has led, consists of 18 credit hours, including two core robotics courses — Introduction to Robotics and Robotic Systems — along with four technical electives. Students can tailor their studies with nearly 30 elective options, such as Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Robotic Systems, Machine Learning and Robot Vision.

“[The intelligent robotic systems minor] focuses heavily on interdisciplinary skills because we want students to be familiar with both software demands and hardware,” Sukthankar says.

Building on the success of the minor, UCF has taken robotics education to the next level with a new master’s in robotics and autonomous systems in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Launched in Fall 2024, the program provides a direct pathway for students with a passion for robotics to take their interest and education to new heights. They learn to analyze, design and develop the robotics and autonomous systems used in everyday life, from self-driving cars and drones to medical robots and mechanical dogs.

“The master’s program, [our] research conducted, and even our partnerships with Lockheed Martin and Siemens are helping position UCF as a leader in robotics research and education.” — Crystal Maraj, research assistant professor

Given that robotics is a highly interdisciplinary field, the program ensures that students gain exposure to courses across engineering specialties — many of which they may not have previously considered. The curriculum focuses on multiple disciplines, with courses covering areas such as computer vision, machine learning, autonomous vehicles, medical robotics and intelligent systems. Students can apply their knowledge through an independent study project, a master’s thesis or robotics research in a related laboratory or center. Ultimately graduates leave UCF prepared to enter the workforce, or advance their careers, as highly skilled robotics engineers across various industries.

While other graduate-level programs in Florida offer specializations related to robotics, none are as comprehensive or immersive as this master’s degree. That’s what drew Brandon Gross ’19 — an electrical engineering alum and senior software engineering manager at Seegrid, a leading mobile robotic company in manufacturing and logistics — back to UCF to further his education.

“I’m a lifelong learner, and I found myself wanting to reach for more advanced foundational topics in my day-to-day work that I hadn’t covered in my undergraduate degree,” Gross says.

When Sukthankar, the master’s program coordinator, envisioned the program’s development, her main hope was that it would bring people back to UCF to study robotics. So when Gross emailed her inquiring about the new master’s degree, she was thrilled to see her vision come to life — with the program already attracting talented individuals eager to further their expertise.

“[Gross] is one of the best undergraduate students I’ve seen go through the intelligent robotic systems minor. I was happy to hear that he was considering coming back for the master’s program,” Sukthankar says.

As a member of the program’s inaugural cohort, Gross values the opportunity to immerse himself in all things robotics and is proud of his alma mater for adapting to the needs of the greater robotics industry, he says.

Learning by Doing, Leading by Building

Alexander Alen’s interest in technology began at an early age. Surrounded by computers, he built his first one in middle school. It’s no surprise that he’s now studying computer science at UCF. While coding and software development are his focus, Alen also enjoys “getting his hands dirty.” For him robotics is the perfect blend of technical skill and hands-on work.

His first deep dive into robotics began when he transferred from Valencia College to UCF, where he began a research project with TapeMeasure — a four-legged semiautonomous robot housed in the Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) — aimed at developing an autonomous guide dog to assist blind people. The opportunity arose through UCF’s Learning Environment and Academic Research program, a yearlong initiative for incoming first-year and transfer students that allows them to engage in research projects from the start. For Alen it was a way to merge his interest in technology with practical, real-world experience.

Now president of the Robotics Club of Central Florida at UCF, Alen has even more opportunities to roll up his sleeves and lead projects that push the boundaries of robotics — all while mentoring peers who share his curiosity and enthusiasm for the field.

“One of the hardest parts about robotics is getting experience. Not everyone has the tools at home to solder wires together, or has [access to] microcontrollers, motors or computers to start their own projects,” Alen says. “The robotics club provides all of this and more to our members. They get real, hands-on experience with complex projects that they can apply later in their careers.”

The Robotics Club of Central Florida is a student organization that immerses students in robotics through projects tackling real-world challenges. Beyond providing practical experience, the club strives to increase exposure to the robotics field and empower individuals to pursue their passion for technology through mentoring schoolchildren, and hosting workshops and live demonstrations at STEM events. The club has earned recognition for its achievements in many international and national competitions, including a top 30% finish in the 2024 Promoting Electric Propulsion event as a rookie team. It continues to advance by participating in collegiate robotics and engineering competitions twice a year.

“There’s something for everybody [in the robotics club],” says Alen, who has been a member for two years. “We always tell students that just because their major is [in a certain field] doesn’t mean they have to stick to it.”

If it moves, competes or explores new frontiers, you’ll find it in the robotics club. Members are currently building battle-ready sumobots — small, autonomous robots designed for sumo-style wrestling matches — developing a competitive electric racing boat, constructing a Mars-ready rover, creating new hardware and software for TapeMeasure, and much more. With 32 projects completed (and counting), the club continues to push the boundaries of automation and robust design, offering projects for every kind of innovator. And according to Alen, there’s no shortage of talent.

Today the club has more than 150 members — significant growth from the few students it started with in 1972. Working closely with them is Crystal Maraj, the club’s faculty advisor and a research assistant professor at IST.

“The robotics club [has] averaged about 30 members in the past five years. … This shows that people are recognizing the value of robotics,” Maraj says. “And it’s not just traditional roboticists, software engineers or mechanical engineers. Even business students learning about AI are also getting into the field.”

Interdisciplinary research is crucial to making real progress, and combining that with experiential learning is the beauty of UCF, Maraj says. The university fosters creativity and provides the freedom to explore new technologies — an environment that can also be found at the Center for Research in Computer Vision in the Department of Computer Science.

The center focuses on advancing computer vision research and applying it to fields like robotics, national defense and intelligence. Beyond research, students at every level — from K-12 to undergraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral — benefit from high-quality education and opportunities to solve real problems.

By equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge, and giving researchers workspaces and tools to make new discoveries, UCF has transformed itself into a key player in shaping a future where robots enhance human capabilities.

“The master’s program, research conducted in IST and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and even our partnerships with Lockheed Martin and Siemens [Energy] are helping position UCF as a leader in robotics research and education,” Maraj says. “The university is strategically connected to the right people and the right partnerships.”

Advancements Unfolding

---

Assistive Robotics

Researcher: Aman Behal

Position: Professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Assistive Robotics Lab

Imagine a future where robots not only lend a hand, but offer a new level of independence. That’s the goal for Professor Aman Behal and his team, who are developing assistive robotics to enhance independence for individuals with upper extremity disabilities caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis or other conditions.

Unlike stationary robots, these smart assistants can be mounted to wheelchairs or follow users to help them navigate daily life. They can handle tasks like brushing hair or cutting food, but controlling and teaching them remains a challenge.

With a three-year $600,000 grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, Behal — alongside Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Morris Beato, and Professor of Statistics and Data Science Edgard Maboudou — is creating intelligent, user-friendly robotic assistants to make daily activities like eating and grooming easier.

In the lab, these robots are being trained to feed people cereal and brush their hair, but programming them requires numerous human demonstrations — something people with disabilities may struggle to provide.

That’s where Behal’s expertise comes in.

“We design assistant robots to operate in unstructured environments,” Behal says. “With machine learning, they can be trained on different scenarios, allowing them to analyze a cluttered scene and identify objects of interest — recognizing, for example, that one item is a fork while another [resembles] a spoon.”

Autonomous Agricultural Robots

Researchers: Ladislau Bölöni, Chen Chen, Swadeshmukul Santra and Yunjun Xu

Position: Faculty from various disciplines

Farming has come a long way from ox-drawn plows and manual labor. Now autonomous robots are stepping in to make it more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective.

Thanks to a $2.74 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Yunjun Xu is developing AI methods for motion control and scheduling in autonomous ground robots. These robots will detect crop diseases and assist in harvesting produce.

Collaborating with Xu are Computer Science Professor Ladislau Bölöni, who will integrate AI into agricultural robotic arms to improve the way they interact with their physical environment — and Center for Research in Computer Vision Associate Professor Chen Chen, who will investigate a new AI method for sensors used in precision agriculture, a farming practice that uses technology to make more accurate and informed decisions. Plus, NanoScience Technology Center and Department of Chemistry Professor Swadeshmukul Santra is working on using computer vision to analyze pesticide residues.

“We anticipate that each AI method will advance its respective state-of-the-art technology and can have performance superior to existing or traditional methods,” Xu says.

AI and Large Language Models in Robotics

Researchers: Gita Sukthankar

Position: Professor of computer science and director of the Intelligent Agents Lab

“It’s very exciting to see AI play such a central role in computer science,” Gita Sukthankar says.

Her lab is exploring the inner workings of large language models — a specific type of AI model that can process and generate human language. While these models can already enhance robots by improving communication, decision-making and adaptability, Sukthankar and her graduate students are pushing the technology further. Their research focuses on mechanistic interpretability to figure out how these models think, not just what they say.

Instead of purely trusting AI outputs, they want to know why a model makes certain decisions, what patterns it recognizes and how it interprets information. The goal: smarter, more transparent AI-driven robots that don’t simply follow commands, but understand them, making them more useful and reliable.

“[In the past,] robots needed to be programmed with a tremendous amount of background knowledge so that [they had] common sense and reasoning about the world,” Sukthankar says. “Large language models already do a lot of that effectively. They’ve been trained on nearly all the content that exists on the internet. In fact they’re starting to run out of data, which is an interesting problem to have.”

Experts Share Challenges and Considerations in Robotics Development

How do you ensure robots are safe to interact with humans and operate in real-world environments?

“One effective approach is utilizing simulation-based platforms, such as NVIDIA Omniverse, to train robots. These platforms allow robots to learn and practice various actions and scenarios in a controlled, virtual environment before deployment. By simulating complex, real-world conditions, the robot has the ability to adapt, detect risks and respond appropriately, ultimately ensuring safer interactions and operations,” says Research Assistant Professor Crystal Maraj.

As large language models become more integrated into robotics, how can developers ensure that the data collected by robots doesn’t infringe on users’ privacy?

“To assist human users, service robots typically collect video and audio data from the environment, which may infringe on user privacy if it were aggregated into a central data repository. For constructing machine learning models for these applications, many researchers advocate the use of federated learning in which multiple entities cooperate during the training process. So ideally, the large language model would be updated in a distributed way to protect the privacy of the users,” says Professor of Computer Science Gita Sukthankar.

How can developers ensure innovations, especially assistive devices, are beneficial for everyone — not just the wealthy?

“People who need assistive robotics are often not the richest. Many are out of a job due to their disability and can’t afford this technology. We’re focused on ensuring [these robots] actually make it into the real world, so we engage directly with stakeholders — especially people with disabilities — as well as through extensive discussions with subject matter experts. Their advice helps guide our research and better align these systems with user needs,” says Professor of Electrical Engineering Aman Behal.