MassTLC to Release Report on State of the Industry at Event

02/11/2013

Contacts: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu, Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

* Media Advisory *

 

Tuesday, Feb. 12
10:30 a.m. Media Check-in
11 a.m. Program
11:45 a.m. Robot Demonstrations

 

What: The most advanced robotics test center in the nation will open at UMass Lowell with a program that includes demonstrations of robots running obstacles, climbing through honeycombs of tunnels, soaking themselves in simulated rainstorms and testing their vision.

The New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center will fuel robotics research and development across the region by providing access to state-of-the-art test courses and UMass Lowell faculty researchers’ expertise. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. Army, the NERVE Center is the only robotics test site in the Northeast and one of only three in the United States.

At the opening, the Mass Technology Leadership Council will officially announce the results of its new report measuring the state of the industry in Massachusetts, including growth in sales, venture funding, employment and more.

Event speakers are scheduled to include Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki; UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan; iRobot Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder Colin Angle; MassTLC President and CEO Tom Hopcroft; and UMass Lowell Prof. Holly Yanco, the center’s director.

The NERVE center features courses that test the strength, durability, design and functionality of robots. iRobot, Adept MobileRobotics, QinetiQ and VGo Communications are among the companies scheduled to demonstrate robots at the event.

Where: 1001 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell. For directions and parking information, contact UMass Lowell media relations.

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