Tennessee Tech manufacturing engineering technology students set to use a new collaborative robot named Sawyer this semester.
The University received the “cobot” from a Memphis-based company that supplies control and automation product solutions to the manufacturing industry. Associate Professor Duckbong Kim said the new type of robot is designed to work together with manufacturers rather than in their own restricted areas.
“This will educate and transform students into more competitive 21st-century technicians, engineers, and managers,” Kim said. “Our students will learn about the concept and practical operations of the collaborative robot.”
In addition, Kim said Sawyer will aid in research on metaverse-based smart manufacturing. Using virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, students are developing a cyber-physical system platform in order to remotely operate the Cobot.
“It is widely acknowledged that smart manufacturing and data analytics are the two pillars in advanced manufacturing and engineering industries in terms of future innovation and providing the important foundations for gaining industrial competitiveness and ensuring economic success, particularly in Tennessee,” Kim said.
Kim said he plans to create new curriculum, labs, certifications, and research partnerships to create a cross-disciplinary workforce development model to serve the needs of industry across the state by utilizing this Cobot.”
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