Robotics Open Lab Grand Opening

(L-R) Chris Scott, deputy state director, Office of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen; Will Loughlin ’25, President Donald Birx; Bret Kulakovich, PSU’s robotics automation program coordinator; Catherine Provencher, chancellor, University System of New Hampshire; and Provost Nathaniel Bowditch.

Plymouth State formally opened its multidisciplinary Robotics Open Laboratory space in September with members of the public, industry and academic partners, and students, faculty, and staff mingling with an impressive collection of robots. The 4,000-square-foot lab includes new workspaces, a production floor, and classrooms in the historic Draper & Maynard Building.

Comptus Inc. representative Earl Dodge observing a demonstration at the laser etching stage. Comptus Inc. is a Campton, NH-based supplier of measuring instruments partnering with the PSU robotics program.

PSU launched New Hampshire’s first bachelor’s program in robotics in 2021. A year later, the University was granted $1 million in federal funds as part of a congressionally directed spending package secured by US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, making the new lab possible.

“We are proud to open this state-of-the-art Robotics Open Lab, which will provide students the space and equipment they need to learn how to operate and design the latest in robotics technology, and enable partnerships with businesses, industry, community colleges, and universities,” said President Donald L. Birx. “And we are grateful to Senator Shaheen for securing the federal funding used to outfit this new facility, which will empower our students to prepare for the twenty-first century workplace and to pioneer engineering feats that will shape the future economy.”

The Clearpath Husky UGV is an autonomous vehicle for class programming and experimental projects. Photos by Matt Rudzinski ’22, ’24MBA.

Chris Scott, deputy state director, Office of Senator Shaheen, shared remarks from the senator: “As an essential part of PSU’s Integrated Clusters learning model, this dynamic facility will provide students with hands-on learning experiences that will translate to in-demand job skills. These students will be prepared for success in a field that offers stable, fulfilling careers and contributes to the overall growth of our regional economy. As we continue to work towards closing the skills gap and preparing our youth to thrive in the workforce, your initiative, your forward-looking approach, and your collaboration with area high schools and local businesses will be an example for other schools in the region to follow.”

Scott and University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Catherine Provencher were among the ceremonial “ribbon cutters.”

The lab features a FANUC Robodrill CNC Smart Manufacturing Suite—a multi-robot work cell that functions as an entire factory so students can create, manufacture, and assemble components, a six-axis FANUC CR-7i/a ‘cobot’ designed to work collaboratively with a human, a FANUC CRX-10i/a cobot welder, a Tormach CNC Lathe, a Clearpath / Rockwell Automation A200 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), a Unitree Go2 Quadruped “robot dog,” a fiber laser, 3D scanner, and more. Attendees had a chance to observe the manufacturing suite perform the various steps of production and assembly in tandem with the laser etcher.

visitors explore the new Robotics Open Lab

Bret Kulakovich speaking to visitors explore the new Robotics Open Lab

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