This website uses cookies. Learn more via our web privacy policy. For questions, please email dataprivacy@columbusstate.edu.
CSU Fires Up New Robotics Engineering Lab - Columbus State University Skip to Main Content

CSU Fires Up New Robotics Engineering Lab

May 6, 2021

CSU Robotics Engineering Ribbon Cutting

Columbus State University officially opened its new Robotics Engineering Lab Thursday, May 6 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. CSU hosts the state’s only bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in robotics engineering. 

“We are helping students build and flex their creative muscles, and to take what they learn to solve real-world problems and discover unexpected solutions. We’re building tomorrow’s creative workforce — your creative workforce — today through programs like robotics engineering. In doing so, we are helping to change the landscape of our community and fuel the thriving economy of Columbus and beyond,” said Chris Markwood, CSU president.

In just its first semester enrolling students, the program has already grown to 26 undergraduates and three graduate students — with a goal of at least 50 undergraduates and 10 master’s students. These current and future students will be able to access the equipment to advance their research and work on projects involving artificial intelligence, robotics design, and image processing.

The new laboratory will engage undergraduate and master’s students in research and robotic design work early in their educational careers. The end goal is to connect the program’s graduates to this high-demand field and this innovative, high-tech workforce on the local, regional and international levels.

“We are a creative university emphasizing 21st century skills through our education curriculum and research. Our students are trained to excel at all facets of robotics — be it mechanical, electrical or computational,” added Dr. Mahmut Reyhanoglu, robotics program professor and director.

That training comes from experienced instructors and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art robotics systems available for students in the lab — which currently include a self-driving car, modern manipulator arm, a high-performance autonomous ground robot, and helicopter test beds. Students can also use 3D printers to watch their ideas go from software blueprints to physical objects.

In addition to CSU faculty, staff, and visitors, attendees included Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe, commanding general of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning.

“This facility will help us on Fort Benning as we look at both aerial and ground robotics. It’s going to change how the U.S. Army will operate in the field,” Donahoe said.

Endorsements from previous Fort Benning commanding generals Erik Wesley and Gary Brito, as well as city, business and Chamber of Commerce leaders, proved instrumental in Columbus State’s case for developing a program in robotics engineering. 

“From members of our Congressional delegation to business and Chamber leaders here at home, this program has been widely endorsed,” Markwood said. “Now with Dr. Reyhanoglu and his team here at CSU, we have expanded our ability to prepare students in the STEM fields and influence automation, commerce and economic development throughout the state and region.”

Columbus State University's accelerated robotics engineering program allows exceptional students to complete both the Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering (BSRE) and Master of Science in Robotics Engineering (MSRE) degrees in five years. These degrees prepare students for careers in robotics, automation, hardware development, software development and machine learning.

Additional information on the lab and CSU’s Robotics Engineering Program is available at https://columbusstate.edu/robotics.