Press Clips

UCSD investing in robotics

the Robot Report | October 13, 2014

At a one-day forum on the UCSD campus, Chancellor Pradeep Khosla did two unusual things: he spent most of the day at the Contextual Robotics Technologies Intl Forum, and he announced that UCSD would create five new faculty slots in robotics and plans to develop a world-class robotics cluster in the San Diego area. Full Story

UCSD invests big in robotics

San Diego Union Tribune | October 10, 2014

The day may be coming when a swarm of tiny flying robots will appear at your door if you dial 911 for help. "Robots can be there in a matter of seconds and provide police with the information they need when they respond," said Vijay Kumar, a researcher who is developing such robots at the University of Pennsylvania. He tossed out this little mind grenade on Friday at UC San Diego, where some of the nation's top scientists met to discuss the potential of robotics. Full Story

Building a Robotics Ecosystem: Q&A with UC San Diego's Al Pisano

Xconomy | October 1, 2014

It's been almost a year since UC San Diego and Qualcomm confirmed an initiative was underway to create an ambitious robotics institute that would include a new incubator for robotics startups. The effort was conceived as a way to put San Diego on the map as an up-and-coming innovation hub in robotics, create inroads for Qualcomm's wireless technologies, and enable UC San Diego to join the ranks of elite universities already leading the nation in robotics R&D. Full Story

UCSD rings up sale in toy market

San Diego Union Tribune | January 27, 2014

UC San Diego is learning that making money can be child's play. For the first time, the university has licensed some of its technology to a well-known toy maker, which will use it to power and control a zippy-and-trippy little robot called MiP. WowWee, whose U.S. operations are based in La Jolla, has been logging a brisk pace of orders for the $99 toy, which will go on shelves at Best Buy starting in May. Full Story