Every day, new ideas and innovations develop and grow at IE University’s groundbreaking Robotics & AI Lab. Besides providing a space where like-minded innovators can leverage the latest STEM resources and expertise to bring their ideas to life, the Lab enables the practical learning and hands-on skills that typify our approach to education.
Fostering productivity and connection
The Robotics & AI Lab provides the means for students in STEM-related programs to apply what they’re learning to real projects. However, learners from any program at IE University are welcome to get involved. Most projects at the Lab are driven by multidisciplinary collaboration, and participants bring their varying specialisms to the table to advance common goals.
It’s probably no surprise that many project participants are active members of the IE Robotics & AI Club, one of the hundreds of student-run organizations within the IE Community. The Lab, on the fifth floor of our iconic IE Tower in Madrid, has become something of a home for the Club—and the birthplace of various innovative projects:
- IE Robotics & AI Club website
The Club’s website is one of the projects developed in the space. Five Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence students conceived the site to bring the Club, and the Lab, to broader attention. Developing the website from scratch was challenging, but the project team gained advanced skills—such as project management and front-end design—that will help them stand out. They plan to improve the website in the future by integrating a virtual assistant and IoT technology for greater functionality.
- LinkedIn Automation
LinkedIn Automation was also born from the Robotics & AI Lab. The project aims to automate workflows for content creators, harnessing artificial intelligence to help them increase their productivity and social media engagement. According to its creators, teamwork was “a pivotal component” of the project, and it ensured they became more adept at using automation tools, APIs, AI technologies and more.
- Luna
Meanwhile, Luna is an interactive virtual assistant that harnesses the power of AI to manage schedules, provide up-to-date news and weather updates, and make the day more enjoyable with tailored music recommendations. An update is already in the works to enhance this tool’s personalization even further.
“The goal of the Robotics & AI Lab is to develop innovative solutions and technologies that can improve people’s lives, and to inspire and educate the next generation of robotics engineers and scientists, promoting creativity, curiosity and collaboration among students, researchers and industry partners.” – Suzan Awinat, Adjunct Professor
Building interactive solutions
That said, not all innovations coming out of the Robotics & AI Lab are founded solely in the digital realm. Several ongoing projects are pretty tangible, allowing students to interact with them in the physical world:
- Botzo
Botzo is a robot dog that uses real-time processing, inverse kinematics and 3D printing technology to achieve dynamic, four-legged motion. It’s the first AI-powered quadruped at IE Universiy.
- VictorIA
Then there’s VictorIA, the robotic arm that can play Connect4 independently. A team of students meets weekly at the Robotics & AI Lab to refine VictorIA’s technique, using AI technologies like computer vision and algorithmic design to train the robot. They also receive regular mentorship from sector experts.
“We founded the IE Robotics & AI Club in order to apply what we’re learning about artificial intelligence and to keep learning outside the classroom.” –Diego Sanmartin, Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence student
A range of practical skills
- The technical skills in AI, programming and machine learning that students refine during these projects are increasingly in demand across diverse industries. They’re particularly valuable in smart fabrication and transportation, embedded systems, AI- and computer vision-related sectors, and robotics.
- Teamwork is an essential soft skill that students enhance while bringing their visions to life.
- By learning to observe, experiment and assess their progress, students gain real exposure to the challenges, frustrations and successes they’ll encounter in their professional futures.
- These projects also provide practical experience in the realities of UX, UI and human-computer interaction, which will help students produce user-friendly, intuitive and effective solutions in robotics and AI.
Undoubtedly, these projects are fun and engaging for our students. But underpinning them is the core belief in practical learning that’s so fundamental to programs at IE University. In solving the challenges that inevitably arise in projects like these, students gain new skills that will prove invaluable throughout their career path:
Overall, the IE Robotics & AI Club provides an unparalleled opportunity to hone problem-solving and innovation skills in pursuit of practical solutions to real problems. It’s a buzzing hub of exploration and discovery, bringing innovative projects to life. See for yourself!