Thanks to the stellar performance of the robots designed by the Department of Electrical Engineering (EE) of TKU, the Aoyama Lab of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent Systems from UEC (University of Electro-Communications in Japan) would like to stellar launch a joint project, also participated by some other institutes in Thailand and China, that is known as “Crossover IT Robo-Mech Romote Control Contest Development” with TKU. The head of the Lab, Professor H. Aoyama, together with several of his colleagues and graduate students, arrived last week (Dec. 7) to discuss and establish the necessary protocol for the project. They were received by Dr. Tai Wan Chin, the Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Chen Hwei Mei, the Director for the Office of International Exchanges and International Education, and Dr. Wong Ching Chang, the Chair of EE. Prof. Aoyama and his lab have specialized in the precise manufacturing and operation of miniature robots which are extremely useful in very small spaces.

This crossover project will involve setting up a remote control platform at EE using VPN (Virtual Private Network) so that EE can control, via Internet, some AI vehicles that are in Aoyama Lab. The lab will provide and help install all the necessary equipment for the remote control for TKU. Once the facilities are in place and students have been trained about the operation, contests via Internet can be conducted. Of course, the purpose of such contests, according to Dr. Wong, is to stimulate better development in intelligent robots. This project will last until 2011 with 2 to 3 people from TKU side to be actively involved. Dr. Wong is very pleased about the prospect of working with UEC.

UEC is one of TKU’s 100 sister universities. It has been giving one-year scholarship to at least one TKU student per year to study at UEC, and in return it has also sent several exchange students to come over to TKU to take courses at EE in recent years. During their trip this time, Professor Aoyama and his entourage met with several outstanding graduate students from EE to chat over technology and intelligent systems, laying groundwork for future cooperation. ( ~Ying-hsueh Hu )