Major new developments marked the beginning of the first anniversary celebration of the FedEx Institute of Technology Tuesday.
Following an introduction by F.I.T. executive director Andy Meyers, University of Memphis President Shirley Raines announced establishment of a research investment fund to support learning and biomedical technologies and business network tools. Administrators said the F.I.T. has also established a second fund to support innovation.
Meyers also announced the affiliation of Michael Hawley, from the Media Laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as director of special projects at F.I.T.
"We're bringing in an internationally known expert in computer science and the arts," Meyers said. "He can offer us a unique level of expertise because of his association with the M.I.T. media lab."
Hawley will give us insight on what we want this institute to be, Meyers said.
U of M's state of the art building is home to researchers developing technologies that are cutting edge in the fields of artificial intelligence, intelligent systems and robotics.
"We build the best conversational systems in the world," said Art Graesser, co-director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems. "We're combining computer science with other mechanisms and using computers to model the mind."
Graesser addressed a full theater of faculty, students, administrators and other researchers and led demonstrations of AutoTutor and robotics.
David Hanson is a University of Texas Ph.D. candidate and CEO, inventor and founder of Human Emulation Robotics. He demonstrated his realistic robotic human face in conjunction with tutor programs.Hanson said developments in robotics will increase significantly over the next four years.
"There's going to be a land grab for markets in artificial intelligence," Hanson said as he stood beside Eva, the robotic face he developed.
Eva, which stands for experimental verisimilitude apparatus, has cameras in its eyes for face tracking and exhibits a full array of facial expressions.
Hanson demonstrated Eva's ability to teach using AutoTutor programs.Five research teams from the institute presented and demonstrated projects from their respective fields throughout the morning.Shirley Raines discussed the achievements and prestige of the FedEx Institute after its first year.
"We have $41 million of research here at The University of Memphis," Raines said. "That's up 15 percent from last year."
Raines said that research initiatives are a viable way to increase funding in the face of declining resources from the state.
Research projects and the building have drawn a great deal of attention to The University, she said.
Since opening last November, the FedEx Institute of Technology has received more than 30,000 visitors, hosted more than 200 events and garnered praise from F.W. de Klerk and Sir Harold Evans.
"This is a signature building that communicates a greater message to the community and the nation," she said.
