We've all seen internet videos of humanoid robots walking on balance beams and doing backflips. Those impressive feats are only possible because the environment is stationary — once the ground becomes unstable, so do the robots. However, Purdue researchers are stepping in to teach these robots how to navigate the swaying deck of a boat or the uncertainty of a moving walkway, enabling their practical use in more real-world situations.
The quality and impact of work led by Purdue University researchers continue to be recognized by external funding bodies. Here are the Purdue researchers who received Sponsored Program awards approaching $1 million or greater in March.
The 11th Purdue Day of Giving is scheduled for Wednesday (April 24), and Boilermakers around the world will be celebrating the university’s global reputation for excellence at scale by rallying together for Purdue. The 24-hour online, social media-driven fundraising effort encompasses all of Purdue’s campuses. President Mung Chiang is inviting students, faculty, staff, friends and neighbors to “Run & Rally” with him at 1 p.m. on the steps of Hovde Hall.
In an effort to accelerate physical, digital and sustainable manufacturing efforts across Indiana, Purdue University’s Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories will establish a footprint in Indianapolis at 16 Tech Innovation District — the city’s destination for innovation and entrepreneurship — in the heart of the Hard-Tech Corridor.
Kim Vi (Purdue Polytechnic Institute) spontaneously created a six-week walking challenge. She opened this challenge for staff to get moving while working as the weather transitioned to nicer conditions. She has local vendors providing prizes and has been encouraging with unique challenges for certain days or events. We all set our own daily step goals, and it's more a self-competition than against others in the challenge. Great idea, Kim, and thanks for getting us all moving on campus. — T.R. Oneal (Purdue Polytechnic Institute)
