The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has launched the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence in Brooklyn, enhancing its role in robotics and artificial intelligence research.
BROOKLYN, NY – The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has officially inaugurated the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence, a significant development that positions the institution at the forefront of robotics and physical artificial intelligence research on the East Coast.
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the new center is a key component of NYU’s ambitious $1 billion investment in engineering and global science initiatives. This investment underscores Tandon’s commitment to interdisciplinary research in AI-driven robotics.
Juan de Pablo, NYU’s Executive Vice President for Global Science and Technology, will oversee the center. He emphasized the transformative potential of the intersection between robotics and AI, stating, “The intersection between robotics and AI offers unprecedented opportunities for technological developments that will bring enormous benefits to industry and society.” De Pablo added that the center will act as a hub for discovery and innovation in this dynamic field.
Among the founding co-directors is Lerrel Pinto, an assistant professor of computer science at NYU’s Courant Institute. Pinto, who is of Indian American descent, will play a pivotal role in defining the center’s research agenda, which emphasizes embodied intelligence. This approach allows robots to learn movement and decision-making by engaging with the physical world and analyzing human motion. He will work alongside co-directors Ludovic Righetti and Chen Feng to lead a research team comprising over 70 faculty members, postdoctoral scholars, and students.
The center boasts a substantial physical infrastructure, featuring 10,000 square feet of collaborative experimental space designed to foster interdisciplinary cooperation. Its flagship facility includes a 6,800 square foot lab dedicated to advanced robotics testing, complemented by an additional 2,200 square foot space for large-scale multi-robot experiments.
Chen Feng highlighted the center’s ambition to position Tandon and New York City as a national hub for robotics research. “We want people to think of the East Coast, not just Silicon Valley, when they think about robotics and embodied AI,” he remarked.
In addition to its research initiatives, the NYU Tandon School of Engineering is set to launch the nation’s first Master of Science degree in Robotics and Embodied Intelligence through the center. This program aims to equip the next generation of engineers and researchers with the skills necessary to advance the field.
The center’s faculty have already secured over $30 million in research funding, bolstered by partnerships with leading industry players such as NVIDIA, Google, Amazon, and Qualcomm. This financial backing underscores the center’s potential to contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of robotics and AI.
As the NYU Tandon School of Engineering continues to expand its capabilities and influence, the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence stands as a testament to its commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering education and research, according to India-West.