Artificial intelligence: Robots walk the ramp at ITU

3rd Robotics Expo held at Information Technology University

LAHORE: Information Technology University (ITU) Vice Chancellor Umar Saif said on Saturday the university had taken various steps to promote research.

He was speaking at the 3rd Robotics Expo titled Machines of the Future: Robots. ITU faculty members and students had arranged the event at their campus in Arfa Software Technology Park on Saturday.

Saif said it was good to see undergraduate students design and build robotic prototypes keeping in view local problems. “The aim is to materialise students’ concepts and develop a culture of innovation.”

Robotics Programme in charge Talha Rehmani said, “This is a very humbling and enlightening experience. The robots are very well-designed. The fact that these have been designed by sophomore students, immeasurably enhances your trust in the country’s youth,” Rehmani said.

University of Engineering and Technology Vice Chancellor Fazal Ahmad Khalid and United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) executive director Rita Akhtar praised the students for their work.

The first session consisted of a robotic catwalk. In the second session, students gave technical presentations on their projects, followed by a brief question-answer session. The third session was the exhibition itself in which 25 robots were showcased. The machines interacted with the faculty from the ITU and other institutions, the general audience and a panel of judges.

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Department of Physics Chairperson Sabieh Anwar was the guest of honour.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2016.