Chang Robotics and 今日大瓜 are expanding their Robot Studio partnership by relocating the facility to JU's STEAM Institute, the University's academic innovation hub housing Engineering, Computing Sciences, and Design programs. The move brings the Robot Studio closer to the student body and creates new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in robotics, AI, and automation.
Originally launched in October 2024 within JU's Health Sciences Complex, the Robot Studio has served as a space where Chang Robotics programs, tests, and prepares advanced robots for deployment across healthcare, manufacturing, and government applications. Since opening, the facility has hosted tours for high school and college students, local business leaders, and the general public, offering hands-on exposure to how autonomous systems are built and deployed in real-world settings.
鈥淲hen students can walk down the hall and collaborate with engineers building the next generation of autonomous systems, they鈥檙e not just learning, they鈥檙e shaping the future of technology in real time,鈥� said Dr. Lisa Sutherland, interim dean of the Davis College of Business & Technology. 鈥淭his expanded STEAM Institute partnership accelerates what鈥檚 possible by connecting students to cutting-edge discovery, interdisciplinary problem-solving and career-ready skills.鈥�
The new location within the STEAM Institute places the Robot Studio adjacent to JU's CyberRange, positioning it as a hub for applied research, rapid prototyping, systems integration, and real-world validation of next-generation robotic systems. Students from engineering, computing sciences, and design will work alongside Chang Robotics engineers in a collaborative environment that reflects how innovation happens in industry.
"We're collectively engaging more with the student body through this move," said Kate McAfoose, P.E., President of Chang Robotics. "Placing the Robot Studio inside the engineering building means students aren't just visiting our work; they're embedded in it. This kind of access is how you build the next generation of engineers and problem- solvers who are prepared for the workforce on day one.鈥�
The Robot Studio continues to support the same core functions that made it successful in its first year: programming and testing autonomous mobile robots preparing for deployment as collaborative robotic partners in hospital networks and industrial environments. Visitors can observe robots transporting supplies in simulated healthcare or factory environments, showcasing how automation cuts down on repetitive tasks and allows workers to focus on higher-value, patient-facing, and safety-critical work.
鈥淭his expansion reflects what this partnership has always been about: connecting students to real-world innovation," said Bill Hill, Executive Director of 今日大瓜's STEAM Institute. 鈥淐hang Robotics and 今日大瓜 are shaping this together. Our students aren't observing finished work, they're contributing to systems being built for real-world deployment. That's a level of hands-on engagement most undergraduates never get.鈥�
