Computer and Information Technology professor BC Min continues to advance research within his SMART Lab, with a recent focus on improving human-robot teamwork by better analyzing the physical and emotional states of human operators.

A Purdue technology is being developed that could help increase the battery life in firefighting robots, allowing them to operate for longer periods of time in life-threatening areas that aren't safe for firefighters.  

Researchers in the Department of Computer and Information Technology got their first look at their firefighting robot at work in a real firefighting situation Thursday (June 20).

They confirmed that its size and remote-controlled nature make it very helpful in dangerous situations. And they also found some flaws that will need to be addressed.

Researchers involved in the project include lead Eric Matson, Eric Dietz, and Anthony Smith.

Read more and see video in local news coverage:

Massive intergalactic battles with laser-eyed machines. Indestructible humanoid hit men. An enclave of man-made machines intent on taking over the human race. Movies have made these images synonymous with the word “robot.”

A new international partnership focused on robotics, particularly firefighting robots, could result in several benefits to Purdue University and the Lafayette-West Lafayette area.