ABU DHABI: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has inaugurated a full robotics program designed to address complex challenges in robot learning, humanoid robotics, human-computer interaction, and sensory perception.
According to Emirates News Agency, the new initiative at MBZUAI features extensive research and teaching laboratories, which will facilitate advanced experiments with humanoid walking and autonomous robots. The program is tailored to impact various sectors including agriculture, logistics, and healthcare, positioning the university as a pivotal center for collaboration among faculty, researchers, students, and industry and government partners.
Professor Sami Haddadin, Vice President for Research at MBZUAI, emphasized the transformative potential of robotics in various industries and outlined the university’s vision to enhance AI systems for scalable machine learning and smarter operational capabilities. “At MBZUAI, we aim to push boundaries further, creating AI syste
ms that allow machines to learn at scale, operate smarter, and support humans in meaningful ways,” said Haddadin.
The robotics department, which was established in 2023, admitted its first cohort of 18 students in August and anticipates significant growth. Under the leadership of Professor Yoshihiko Nakamura, the department expects to expand its faculty to more than 15 members within two years. Nakamura highlighted the role of the new Robotics Teaching Laboratory in fostering high-impact research and real-world applications of robot learning and algorithms.
The department’s research will cover a broad range of areas including deep learning, robot-assisted surgery, quadruped locomotion, precision agriculture, and environmental monitoring, indicating a comprehensive approach to integrating robotics technology into critical and practical domains.