Want to see 10 to 20 tiny drones fly over the Michigan Stadium field?
Come Robotics Day Monday and you'll have the chance.
An Xbox gamepad is used to steer a robot during last year's Robotics Day at U-M.
Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com
University of Michigan is hosting its annual Robotics Day on Monday, April 15. It's a conference highlighting what's developing in the field of robots and showcasing some of the university's latest research in the area.
This year's event will focus on autonomous vehicles, a topic that was also popular during last year's event.
Gov. Rick Snyder will kick off the day discussing how such vehicles factor into the state's future. In his January State of the State address, Snyder said he supported autonomous vehicle licensing in Michigan. He and other state officials are hopeful that Michigan can solidify its place as a hotbed for autonomous vehicle research.
Some 3,000 cars, and a few bicycles and motorcycles, equipped with vehicle-to-vehcile wireless communication technology are driving around Ann Arbor this year, testing exactly what happens when vehicles try to communicate with each other on the roads of a metropolitan area.
Are self-driving cars critical to southeast Michigan's future? That question will be discussed Monday during Robotics Day.
USDOT photo
And while the deployment is testing safety features that allow technology-equipped cars to tell drivers when they are in danger of crashing or when there's excessive traffic, the pilot project is being closely watched by folks who see self-driving cars becoming reality in the not-so-far future.
Several universities will showcase their robotics projects throughout the day and industry and government groups will be in attendance.
Sen. Carl Levin will also talk at the event, as will autonomous vehicle expert Alberto Broggi, who will discuss what is believed to be the longest test for autonomous driving— an 8,000 mile trip from Italy to China.
The school expects a turnout of 450 to 500 attendees.
Robotics Day takes place Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Michigan Stadium Jack Roth Stadium Club. Parking will be available on the Michigan Stadium concourse. Snyder's talk begins at 9:15 a.m.
The flying display of robotic aerial vehicles over the Michigan Stadium field takes place at noon.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.