Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (RIM@Georgia Tech)

"RIM@Georgia Tech serves as the flagship for Georgia Tech's robotics efforts, coordinating the university's capabilities in this field under one roof." - Henrik Christensen, director, distinguished professor and KUKA Chair of Robotics

Innovating the Future of Robotics

The Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (RIM@Georgia Tech) is helping define the new face of computing through a unique emphasis on education and research in robotics. The Center positions Georgia Tech to become a world leader in these promising, revolutionary new technologies.

RIM@Georgia Tech's activities leverage the strengths and resources of Georgia Tech by reaching across traditional boundaries to embrace a multidisciplinary approach. The College of Computing, College of Engineering and the Georgia Tech Research Institute play key, complementary roles through Tech's traditional expertise in interactive and intelligent computing, control, and mechanical engineering. Emphasizing personal and everyday robotics as well as the future of automation, faculty involved with RIM@Georgia Tech help students understand and define the future role of robotics in society.

In addition, well-established industry relationships provide a path for technology transfer and commercialization - a crucial objective for RIM@Georgia Tech projects.

Robotics Curriculum Bridges Disciplines

• A Ph.D. program in Robotics - the first truly multi-disciplinary program in the country - draws from curricula in computer science, electrical engineering, aero-space, biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering.
• Approximately 44 robotics-related courses are offered at Georgia Tech from 30-plus faculty members representing the College of Computing, and schools of Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
• The Institute for Personal Robots in Education places students at the cutting-edge with opportunities to conceive, develop and test new technology and applications for personal robots.
• RIM@Georgia Tech is engaged in ongoing efforts to heighten public education and awareness of robotics through seminars, hands-on workshops and competitive demonstrations.

Research with a Purpose

Basic and applied research is at the heart of RIM@Georgia Tech. The study of basic engineering problems in robotics is central to our work, but equally important is the integration of innovations and discoveries into real-world systems and applications.

RIM@Georgia Tech research encompasses more than a dozen laboratories and 30-plus faculty from many different disciplines.

Moreover, coordinating robotics research through the RIM@Georgia Tech center focuses those efforts and promotes development of a unified research strategy. This is an important step toward our goal of becoming one of the world's premiere robotics research institutions.

Looking Toward the Future

According to robotics industry associations in North America and Japan, the global robotics market is expected to significantly expand over the next five years, including gains in both the service and personal robotics fields. RIM@Georgia Tech expects to be a prime mover in the development and commercialization of the technologies that will turn these projections into reality.