university Hawaii in Manoa Received a $50,000 research grant from Google to support research in artificial intelligence and robotics led by Assistant Professor Huaijin Chen in the School of Information and Computer Science.
The donation will fund Chen’s research in robot perception, a field focused on enabling machines to better understand and interact with the physical world. This research includes applications in health-related human-robot interaction, tactile sensing, and agriculture.
“This support will allow us to explore bold ideas at the intersection of perception and real-world environments, while creating hands-on opportunities for students to work on technologies that have the potential to shape the future of robotics,” Chen said.
Human-robot interaction, tactile sensing, outdoor environments
One area of research focuses on health-related human-robot interactions, such as body-based interaction systems designed to support older adults with mild cognitive impairment. By combining 3D This research aims to help machines respond more naturally and effectively in real-world assistance settings. This work is based on Chen’s previous work Hawaii Community Foundation-supported research on digital biomarkers for early screening for Alzheimer’s disease using computer vision and artificial intelligence.
Another component explores 3D Tactile sensing allows robots to gather information through touch. This approach aims to improve the way machines detect shape, movement, and contact, especially in tasks that require delicate handling or physical interaction.
The project also targets agricultural applications where robots need to navigate complex outdoor environments. The research aims to improve the way machines move in fields, identify crops, interpret terrain, and operate in changing lighting and weather conditions.
Funding will support graduate and undergraduate student researchers, equipment, computing resources, and experimental testing. The project also provides training opportunities for students in robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence.
Department of Information and Computer Science ah ManoaCollege of Natural Sciences.
