The Charger Blog
The University of New Haven highlighted its growing impact in robotics, AI, cybersecurity, and more at the first-ever Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) Day at the Connecticut State Capitol Ӱԭ demonstrating the University's growing impact on the stateӰԭs tech future.
June 9, 2025
ItӰԭs not every day that a robot dog walks into the State Capitol. But at the first Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) Day, the University of New Haven turned heads with SPOT, the agile, quadrupedal robot developed by Boston Dynamics.
Representing the UniversityӰԭs Tagliatela College of Engineering, Shayok Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., helped lead the booth, engaging with state leaders, including Governor Ned Lamont, and showcasing how technology is shaping research and education on campus.
SPOT got a lot of attention as a live, functioning robot, and that provided the opportunity to explain the kind of hands-on, high-impact work taking place at the University.
ӰԭVisibility is key,Ӱԭ said Dr. Mukhopadhyay. ӰԭThe public and the legislators need to know what type of research capabilities and educational endeavors the University of New Haven is involved in.Ӱԭ
SPOT wasnӰԭt just at the Capitol for entertainment. According to Dr. Mukhopadhyay, the robot is an important part of the UniversityӰԭs robotics curriculum and research agenda.
ӰԭIt was memorable seeing Governor Lamont realize that this level and type of work is being done at our university,Ӱԭ said Dr. Mukhopadhyay.
SPOT serves as a gateway for student innovation. ӰԭNew graduate students are getting started with this hardware and formulating their research questions,Ӱԭ Dr. Mukhopadhyay explained. ӰԭThe goal is to provide an education that equips our students to tackle the challenges that the future AI-enabled embodied intelligent agents of the future pose.Ӱԭ
ӰԭWe have submitted grants related to autonomous vehicle security,Ӱԭ he continued. ӰԭMultiple graduate students are getting involved with search-and-rescue-type work involving SPOT. Hands-on autonomy and robotics-related courses offered at our university prepare students to take this kind of thing on.Ӱԭ
Bringing SPOT to the Capitol brought him in direct contact with policymakers and industry partners, helping emphasize the role the University plays in developing talent across the state.
ӰԭEvents like this help raise awareness about all we offer,Ӱԭ explained Dr. Mukhopadhyay, ӰԭIt can also help strengthen our programs in the future if legislators are impressed with what they see Ӱԭ if they decide to provide future support for our activities institution wide.Ӱԭ
The day provided a chance to highlight a lot of the work the University is doing in robotics and beyond. This Spring the University helped establish the Connecticut AI Alliance, and students have performed outstandingly in various events, including a Hackathon and a Chem-e-Car competition.
In addition, Ӱԭthe UniversityӰԭs robotics club qualified for the international finals of the University Rover Challenge (URC 2025) for the second year in a row,Ӱԭ Dr. Mukhopadhyay said. ӰԭThis is an extremely challenging and competitive event, with our team being much smaller in size than most of the competitors.Ӱԭ
This success speaks to the UniversityӰԭs hands-on, student-centered approach to education. Students are not only learning advanced skillsӰԭtheyӰԭre applying them. It's the kind of real-world experience that sets the UniversityӰԭs programs apart and demonstrates whatӰԭs possible with the right support and vision.
ӰԭEnsuring this new generation of students is prepared for the challenges of robotics, AI, and future technologies is what our current efforts are aimed at,Ӱԭ Dr. Mukhopadhyay said. ӰԭAnd itӰԭs about raising awareness about our capabilities and what we do here at the University of New Haven.Ӱԭ
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