{"id":25795,"date":"2025-05-02T15:10:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T15:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/?p=25795&post_type=story"},"modified":"2026-02-09T14:59:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T14:59:59","slug":"robots-in-the-real-world","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/robots-in-the-real-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Robots in the Real World"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

While it may sound like a sci-fi movie, this robot-powered plot is already transforming daily life.<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

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\u2019s in robotics and autonomous systems<\/a>, UCF provides students and faculty<\/a> with the ultimate launchpad to pioneer revolutionary robotic systems.<\/p>\n

The Future Is Wired \u2014 and UCF Is Plugged In<\/h2>\n

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<\/a> (AI) and robotics across industries have prompted education institutions worldwide to introduce specialized courses and programs, equipping future visionaries to develop the robots that\u2019ll redefine how humans work and live.<\/p>\n

\u201cRobotics used to be a field people entered after earning a master\u2019s<\/a> or [doctoral degree<\/a>]. It was considered a somewhat [obscure] specialty,\u201d 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. \u201cNow I have high school students who are interested in working in my lab and doing robotics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2006 the closest thing to a robotics degree at UCF has been the intelligent robotic systems minor<\/a> in the College of Engineering and Computer Science<\/a>. 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 \u2014 as well as computer science majors<\/a> \u2014 any student who meets the prerequisites can declare it.<\/p>\n

The minor, which Sukthankar has led, consists of 18 credit hours, including two core robotics courses \u2014 Introduction to Robotics <\/i>and Robotic Systems <\/i>\u2014 along with four technical electives. Students can tailor their studies with nearly 30 elective options, such as Artificial Intelligence<\/i>, Autonomous Robotic Systems<\/i>, Machine Learning <\/i>and Robot Vision.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201c[The intelligent robotic systems minor] focuses heavily on interdisciplinary skills because we want students to be familiar with both software demands and hardware,\u201d Sukthankar says.<\/p>\n

Building on the success of the minor, UCF has taken robotics education to the next level with a new master\u2019s in robotics and autonomous systems in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“The master\u2019s 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.\u201d \u2014 Crystal Maraj, research assistant professor<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Given that robotics is a highly interdisciplinary field, the program ensures that students gain exposure to courses across engineering<\/a> specialties \u2014 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

While other graduate-level programs in Florida offer specializations related to robotics, none are as comprehensive or immersive as this master\u2019s degree. That\u2019s what drew Brandon Gross \u201919 <\/b>\u2014 an electrical engineering<\/a> alum and senior software engineering manager at Seegrid, a leading mobile robotic company in manufacturing and logistics \u2014 back to UCF to further his education.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a lifelong learner, and I found myself wanting to reach for more advanced foundational topics in my day-to-day work that I hadn\u2019t covered in my undergraduate degree,\u201d Gross says.<\/p>\n

When Sukthankar, the master\u2019s program coordinator, envisioned the program\u2019s 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\u2019s degree, she was thrilled to see her vision come to life \u2014 with the program already attracting talented individuals eager to further their expertise.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Gross] is one of the best undergraduate students I\u2019ve seen go through the intelligent robotic systems minor. I was happy to hear that he was considering coming back for the master\u2019s program,\u201d Sukthankar says.<\/p>\n

As a member of the program\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Learning by Doing, Leading by Building<\/h2>\n

Alexander Alen\u2019s interest in technology began at an early age. Surrounded by computers, he built his first one in middle school. It\u2019s no surprise that he\u2019s now studying computer science at UCF. While coding and software development are his focus, Alen also enjoys \u201cgetting his hands dirty.\u201d For him robotics is the perfect blend of technical skill and hands-on work.<\/p>\n

His first deep dive into robotics began when he transferred from Valencia College to UCF, where he began a research project with TapeMeasure \u2014 a four-legged semiautonomous robot housed in the Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) \u2014 aimed at developing an autonomous guide dog to assist blind people. The opportunity arose through UCF\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 all while mentoring peers who share his curiosity and enthusiasm for the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne 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,\u201d Alen says. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something for everybody [in the robotics club],\u201d says Alen, who has been a member for two years. \u201cWe always tell students that just because their major is [in a certain field] doesn\u2019t mean they have to stick to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

If it moves, competes or explores new frontiers, you\u2019ll find it in the robotics club. Members are currently building battle-ready sumobots \u2014 small, autonomous robots designed for sumo-style wrestling matches \u2014 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\u2019s no shortage of talent.<\/p>\n

Today the club has more than 150 members \u2014 significant growth from the few students it started with in 1972. Working closely with them is Crystal Maraj, the club\u2019s faculty advisor and a research assistant professor at IST.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe robotics club [has] averaged about 30 members in the past five years. \u2026 This shows that people are recognizing the value of robotics,\u201d Maraj says. \u201cAnd it\u2019s not just traditional roboticists, software engineers or mechanical engineers. Even business students learning about AI are also getting into the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 an environment that can also be found at the Center for Research in Computer Vision in the Department of Computer Science.<\/p>\n

The center focuses on advancing computer vision research and applying it to fields like robotics, national defense<\/a> and intelligence. Beyond research, students at every level \u2014 from K-12 to undergraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral \u2014 benefit from high-quality education and opportunities to solve real problems.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe master\u2019s program, research conducted in IST and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and even our partnerships<\/a> with Lockheed Martin and Siemens [Energy] are helping position UCF as a leader in robotics research and education,\u201d Maraj says. \u201cThe university is strategically connected to the right people and the right partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advancements Unfolding<\/h2>\n
\n

Assistive Robotics<\/h3>\n

Researcher:<\/strong> Aman Behal<\/p>\n

Position:<\/strong> Professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Assistive Robotics Lab<\/p>\n

Imagine a future where robots not only lend a hand, but offer a new level of independence. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

With a three-year $600,000 grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, Behal \u2014 alongside Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Morris Beato, and Professor of Statistics and Data Science Edgard Maboudou \u2014 is creating intelligent, user-friendly robotic assistants to make daily activities like eating and grooming easier.<\/p>\n

In the lab, these robots are being trained to feed people cereal and brush their hair, but programming them requires numerous human demonstrations \u2014 something people with disabilities may struggle to provide.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Behal\u2019s expertise comes in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe design assistant robots to operate in unstructured environments,\u201d Behal says. \u201cWith machine learning, they can be trained on different scenarios, allowing them to analyze a cluttered scene and identify objects of interest \u2014 recognizing, for example, that one item is a fork while another [resembles] a spoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Autonomous Agricultural Robots<\/h3>\n

Researchers: <\/strong>Ladislau B\u00f6l\u00f6ni, Chen Chen, Swadeshmukul Santra and Yunjun Xu<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Faculty from various disciplines<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Thanks to a $2.74 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Collaborating with Xu are Computer Science Professor Ladislau B\u00f6l\u00f6ni, who will integrate AI into agricultural robotic arms to improve the way they interact with their physical environment \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe anticipate that each AI method will advance its respective state-of-the-art technology and can have performance superior to existing or traditional methods,\u201d Xu says.<\/p>\n

AI and Large Language Models in Robotics<\/h3>\n

Researchers: <\/strong>Gita Sukthankar<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Professor of computer science and director of the Intelligent Agents Lab<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very exciting to see AI play such a central role in computer science,\u201d Gita Sukthankar says.<\/p>\n

Her lab is exploring the inner workings of large language models \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t simply follow commands, but understand them, making them more useful and reliable.<\/p>\n

\u201c[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,\u201d Sukthankar says. \u201cLarge language models already do a lot of that effectively. They\u2019ve been trained on nearly all the content that exists on the internet. In fact they\u2019re starting to run out of data, which is an interesting problem to have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Experts Share Challenges and Considerations in Robotics Development<\/h2>\n

How do you ensure robots are safe to interact with humans and operate in real-world environments?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne 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,\u201d says Research Assistant Professor Crystal Maraj.<\/span><\/p>\n

As large language models become more integrated into robotics, how can developers ensure that the data collected by robots doesn\u2019t infringe on users\u2019 privacy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTo 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,\u201d says Professor of Computer Science Gita Sukthankar.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can developers ensure innovations, especially assistive devices, are beneficial for everyone \u2014 not just the wealthy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople who need assistive robotics are often not the richest. Many are out of a job due to their disability and can\u2019t afford this technology. We\u2019re focused on ensuring [these robots] actually make it into the real world, so we engage directly with stakeholders \u2014 especially people with disabilities \u2014 as well as through extensive discussions with subject matter experts. Their advice helps guide our research and better align these systems with user needs,\u201d says Professor of Electrical Engineering Aman Behal.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":25873,"template":"","categories":[977],"tags":[1731,1733,148,1650,1730,1431,1732,1648,1649,1734,1735],"class_list":["post-25795","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-aman-behal","tag-chen-chen","tag-college-of-engineering-and-computer-science","tag-crystal-maraj","tag-gita-sukthankar","tag-institute-for-simulation-and-training","tag-ladislau-boloni","tag-robotics","tag-robotics-club-of-central-florida","tag-swadeshmukul-santra","tag-yunjun-xu","issues-spring-2025"],"yoast_head":"\nRobots in the Real World: How UCF is Enhancing Robotics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Through academic programs, faculty expertise and a robotics club, UCF is developing the minds and machines that will shape our future.\" \/>\n<meta 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