Yamaha Robotics, which is opening a technical center at Drexel University , contributed equipment valued at $42,500 to the Goodwin College of Professional Studies in support of an Internet Based Mechatronics Lab for the Applied Engineering Technology Program. Drexel is the only institution in the nation that is developing a technical center of this type with Yamaha Robotics.

The Yamaha Robotics Technical Center will serve as the centerpiece of the mechatronics stem of the Applied Engineering Technology program and introduce students to experimental principles and concepts of applied engineering technology by applying contemporary skills and knowledge based on industry needs. Goodwin College also plans to establish a Yamaha Training Center to educate industry professionals.

Dr. Richard Chiou and Dr. James Kwon , professors of Applied Engineering Technology in the Goodwin College , will lead the development of the Yamaha Robotics Technical Center and its integration with AET laboratories and education/research programs in Internet-based automation, manufacturing, robotics, CAD/CAM/CNC in conjunction with their recently funded National Science Foundation project.

"The Yamaha Robotics Technical Center will expose our students to state-of-the-art manufacturing in our region," Dr. Horacio Sosa, Senior Associate Dean of the Goodwin College , said. "These gifts are crucial to help us provide students with a strong foundation of engineering practices and to stimulate interest by using a problem solving approach in state-of-the-art laboratories."

For more information about the Yamaha Robotics Technical Center , please contact Dr. Richard Chiou at 215-895-5960 or Richard.Y.Chiou@drexel.edu . You can also visit the Applied Engineering Technology section to learn more about the program.