National Science Foundation awards $900,000 grant to OSU research team

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

(STILLWATER, Okla., August 18, 2015) – Studies in human-robot interaction and machine learning at Oklahoma State University will lead to improved productivity and reduced training costs in the U.S. construction industry. The National Science Foundation has awarded Oklahoma State University $900,000 to carry out this research.

The three-year research project includes the development of algorithms that will allow robots to “learn” equipment operation tasks from skilled human operators. In turn, robots could then be used to train novice human operators.

The four members of the research team have crosscutting expertise in robot dynamics and control, autonomy, machine learning, human-robot interaction, and behavioral psychology. Girish Chowdhary, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is the project’s principal investigator. The other project investigators include Christopher Crick, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor in Computer Science, Charles Abramson, Ph.D. and Regent's Professor of Psychology and Prabhakar Pagilla, Ph. D.

Chowdhary, Crick and Abramson are currently conducting research at Oklahoma State University, while Pagilla has recently moved to Texas A&M University. All four will continue their research as project investigators.

The research directly targets co-robots in the construction and farming industries, such as excavators, wheel loaders, tractors and forage harvesters. However, the project is expected to have a beneficial impact on all manufacturing sectors where robots and humans work together to perform safety critical tasks. 

RELEASE CONTACT: Chelsea Robinson | CEAT Marketing | 405-744-5831 | Chelsea.l.robinson@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.