SCHUNK Featured in Robot Revolution Exhibit in Chicago

On May 21, 2015, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI), supported by Google.org, premiered Robot Revolution, a new national touring exhibit that includes technology from SCHUNK. The exhibit explores how robots, created by human ingenuity, will ultimately be companions and colleagues to humans, changing how we play, live, and work together. The exhibit allows guests to step into a visionary world where robots are not just a curiosity, but also a vital asset.

The exhibit comes to life with a collection of cutting-edge robots that have been secured from some of the most innovative global robotics companies and universities. Within the Skills area of the exhibit, the SCHUNK LWA Powerball arm with the attached 3-finger hand allows guests to watch how advanced gripping systems, with seven degrees of freedom in action, grip various objects. Guests can also see the 5-finger hand mimicking a human hand with nine motors, 20 joints, and elastic fingertips. The grippers also grasp objects of different shapes and sizes. Hands-on elements, intriguing videos, and thought-provoking questions enable guests to recognize the amazing ways that robotics can better society.

MSI’s exhibit development team worked with robotics experts to offer insight on the content. This team of advisors included lead advisor Dr. Henrik I. Christensen, KUKA Chair of Robotics at the College of Computing of George Institute of Technology and executive director of the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, as well as Dr. Dennis Hong, professor and founding director of RoMeLa (Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory) of the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at UCLA.

“We believe it is vital to inspire the next generation of engineers and tech entrepreneurs so that we can continue to see technology change the world,” said Jim Lecinski, head of Google’s Chicago office. “Google is happy to support MSI’s Robot Revolution exhibit to make complex concepts accessible to kids of all ages and to get them excited about science, technology, engineering, and math.”

Robot Revolution is supported by Google.org with additional support from The Boeing Company, RACO Industrial, The David Bohnett Foundation, The Kaplan Foundation, and official airline United Airlines. The exhibit runs through January 3, 2016 and then will continue its tour within the United States.