Drexel robotics expert sees robots becoming 'partners' with humans

Moshe Kam leads Drexel University's department of electrical and computer engineering. Born and college-educated in Tel Aviv, Israel, Kam came to the United States in 1983. He completed his master's degree ('85) and doctorate ('87) at Drexel. Now, he heads a robotics research lab that studies robot navigation in complex environments. Kam says President Obama's $70 million National Robotics Initiative, announced June 24, signals a new era in robotics research. His lab is one of many worldwide that are focusing on making smarter, more autonomous robots. Kam spoke with Inquirer staff writer Helen Shen.

 Question: In practical terms, what is Obama's announcement about, and why is it happening now?

Moshe Kam: The president's initiative emphasizes an aspect that was in the background for many years and which is now an explicit objective, and that is to have robots that are out in the human environment, cooperative with humans, becoming partners of humans in their activities, trying to understand their intentions. It represents a step up in the way we work with robots.

For example, we still pick up produce in the fields by hiring humans. What if I could have a couple of humans in the field along with 60 robots that look at what the human does, doing basic pattern recognition to recognize a fruit, and working together? If you told me this 20 years ago, I'd say this is just science fiction. But now, this is the time to actually do this.

I can see many applications in the environment of people who are handicapped. I can see assistance in areas of high risk. We already have some robots that go into hazardous areas like nuclear power plants to check things out, analyzing the situation.

You can see a place for robots like that working with policemen on the street. You go out of the police car, and several robots come out with you, essentially going into areas that you don't want to go into, sending information back to you, helping you understand the environment and the situation.