A Robot Dog Is Helping the University of 性爱视频 Showcase Its Cutting-Edge Engineering Work
性爱视频 highlighted its growing impact in robotics, AI, cybersecurity, and more at the first-ever Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) Day at the Connecticut State Capitol 鈥 demonstrating the University's growing impact on the state鈥檚 tech future.
June 9, 2025
By Caitlin Truesdale, Office of Marketing and Communications
性爱视频's robot dog SPOT at the Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) Day
It鈥檚 not every day that a robot dog walks into the State Capitol. But at the first Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) Day, the University of 性爱视频 turned heads with SPOT, the agile, quadrupedal robot developed by Boston Dynamics.
Representing the University鈥檚 Tagliatela College of Engineering, Shayok Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., helped lead the booth, engaging with state leaders, including Governor Ned Lamont, and showcasing how technology is shaping research and education on campus.
SPOT got a lot of attention as a live, functioning robot, and that provided the opportunity to explain the kind of hands-on, high-impact work taking place at the University.
鈥淰isibility is key,鈥 said Dr. Mukhopadhyay. 鈥淭he public and the legislators need to know what type of research capabilities and educational endeavors the University of 性爱视频 is involved in.鈥
Robot dog SPOT met Governor Ned Lamont
鈥楾he goal is better education for our students鈥
SPOT wasn鈥檛 just at the Capitol for entertainment. According to Dr. Mukhopadhyay, the robot is an important part of the University鈥檚 robotics curriculum and research agenda.
鈥淚t was memorable seeing Governor Lamont realize that this level and type of work is being done at our university,鈥 said Dr. Mukhopadhyay.
SPOT serves as a gateway for student innovation. 鈥淣ew graduate students are getting started with this hardware and formulating their research questions,鈥 Dr. Mukhopadhyay explained. 鈥淭he goal is to provide an education that equips our students to tackle the challenges that the future AI-enabled embodied intelligent agents of the future pose.鈥
鈥淲e have submitted grants related to autonomous vehicle security,鈥 he continued. 鈥淢ultiple graduate students are getting involved with search-and-rescue-type work involving SPOT. Hands-on autonomy and robotics-related courses offered at our university prepare students to take this kind of thing on.鈥
SPOT poses for photos with Ron Angelo, President and CEO of CCAT
鈥楨vents like this help raise awareness about all we offer鈥
Bringing SPOT to the Capitol brought him in direct contact with policymakers and industry partners, helping emphasize the role the University plays in developing talent across the state.
鈥淓vents like this help raise awareness about all we offer,鈥 explained Dr. Mukhopadhyay, 鈥淚t can also help strengthen our programs in the future if legislators are impressed with what they see 鈥 if they decide to provide future support for our activities institution wide.鈥
The day provided a chance to highlight a lot of the work the University is doing in robotics and beyond. This Spring the University helped establish the Connecticut AI Alliance, and students have performed outstandingly in various events, including a Hackathon and a Chem-e-Car competition.
In addition, 鈥渢he University鈥檚 robotics club qualified for the international finals of the University Rover Challenge (URC 2025) for the second year in a row,鈥 Dr. Mukhopadhyay said. 鈥淭his is an extremely challenging and competitive event, with our team being much smaller in size than most of the competitors.鈥
This success speaks to the University鈥檚 hands-on, student-centered approach to education. Students are not only learning advanced skills鈥攖hey鈥檙e applying them. It's the kind of real-world experience that sets the University鈥檚 programs apart and demonstrates what鈥檚 possible with the right support and vision.
鈥淓nsuring this new generation of students is prepared for the challenges of robotics, AI, and future technologies is what our current efforts are aimed at,鈥 Dr. Mukhopadhyay said. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 about raising awareness about our capabilities and what we do here at the University of 性爱视频.鈥
