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USF Poly to Host Robotics Event Feb. 9

USF Poly to host robotics event Feb. 9: Nao, a 23-inch tall humanoid robot.) (Lakeland, Fla., Feb. 5, 2010) - The University of South Florida invite the public to attend a free robotics event on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m at USFP's Blue Sky West business incubator, 116 South Kentucky Ave., Lakeland.

This event will feature Nao, a 23-inch tall humanoid robot developed and manufactured by Alderban Robotics of Paris, France. Nao is the first step in the revolution of personal robotic and is autonomous, endowed with cognitive abilities and movements. Cedric Vaudel will introduce Nao to central Florida for the first time.

This two hour event will also give participants the opportunity to discover the research of Dr. Alfredo Weitzenfeld of USF Poly, where he directs the International Robotics Laboratory and the USF RoboBulls RoboCup soccer team in the small-size league. He has previously directed the ITAM EagleKnights small-size and standard platform leagues. He also collaborates in the RoboCup @Home league with Inserm in Lyon, France. Participants will also hear about the U.S.-French team project conducted with Polytech Marseille to participate in the RoboCup Humanoid Kid-Size League international competition.

Seventh- through ninth-graders will discover opportunities offered at USFP's RoboBattle event and the Hot2Bot summer program in the Central Florida Gifted and Talented Institute at USFP.

For more information on the Gifted and Talented program visit http://www.poly.usf.edu/gt/. For more information on Alderan Robotics visit http://aldebaran-robotics.com/.

USFP's Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses by creating a place where USF Poly faculty, staff and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology.