Wed, Nov 12th: 'AI Robotics' - 5:45 PM, CU Boulder

The Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group (RMAIIG) invites you to an in-person meeting on Wednesday, Nov 12th, at 5:45 PM at CU Boulder on 'AI Robotics.'

AI Robotics is redefining how humans and machines collaborate - blending mechanical precision with the adaptive intelligence of modern AI systems.

This session explores the frontiers of autonomous movement, perception, and interaction, featuring robots that can see, learn, and respond to the world around them.

Attendees will gain an understanding of how breakthroughs in sensing, control, and large-scale learning are moving robotics from research labs into homes, workplaces, and public spaces. From humanoids to quadrupeds, we’ll look at how these emerging systems are transforming industry and reshaping what it means to build intelligence in physical form.

Sampling of Demos you'll see:
Prescott Mackie and Mike Mossey will demo Binny, a rover that detects faces and small objects, builds plans with a cognitive model, and even shows emotional reactions as those plans succeed or stall.
Billy Otteman with Scythe Robotics presents the M.52, a commercial-grade autonomous mower engineered in Longmont that uses computer vision to safely navigate obstacles and mow perfect stripes.
Daniel Ritchie at the Brain Wave Collective will showcase LeRobot and Reachy Mini, open-source, customizable robotics platforms designed for AI experimentation, teleoperation, and human-robot interaction. We believe this is the first Reachy Mini in the state of Colorado!
Carson Kohlbrenner with the Human Interaction and Robotics Group showcases custom 3D-printed proximity sensors that help robots anticipate contact and interact safely with people. Designed to match each robot’s shape, these sensors allow smoother and more controlled human–robot collaboration.
Joey Reback, with CSU’s RamBOTs team, showcases a student-built robotic ram designed to inspire young learners and the Fort Collins community. Blending electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering with modern robotics techniques, the team is building a smart, Spot-like robot with real-world sensing and autonomy.
Doncey Albin from CU Boulder’s Autonomous Robotics and Perception Group (ARPG) will showcase a project that explores how robots can use maps, location data, and prior knowledge to make smarter, faster decisions in real time. The ARPG team is testing these ideas on real robots, not just simulations, including a new platform equipped with a powerful, liquid-cooled computer for advanced AI and perception.

'AI Robotics'
CU Boulder East Campus: In-person
Aerospace Engineering Sciences Building (Room 120)
3775 Discovery Dr., Boulder CO 80303
Wed, Nov 12th
5:45 - 7:15 PM - 'Pizza and Robots' Demo Fair
7:15 - 8:45 PM - Presentations
5:45 PM Free pizza (thanks to our pizza sponsor, BearPeak Technology Group!)
Parking: https://www.rmaiig.org/parking

The session will open with Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Denver and Founder/CEO of DreamFace Technologies, who will present “Ryan: The Social Companion Robot Transforming Eldercare.”

His talk will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and social robotics, highlighting how humanoid robots like Ryan® are designed to promote emotional engagement, social connection, and cognitive wellness among older adults. Drawing on over a decade of NIH-funded research and real-world deployments in senior care communities, Dr. Mahoor will discuss the AI and affective computing technologies that enable Ryan to perceive emotions, hold natural conversations, and deliver therapeutic interactions. He will also address the broader implications of social robots in healthcare - how they can enhance quality of life, support caregivers, and help shape the future of human–robot collaboration.

Next, Max Conway, PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder and Founder/CTO of RealtimeManufacturing, will present "GOLEM: Humanoids for Manufacturing."

His will cover the state of the humanoid market, humanoid case studies, challenges unique to the humanoid form factor, and the solution provided by GOLEM. He will discuss his work, funded by the Department of Energy's ARPA-E branch, to autonomously disassemble EV batteries for recycling. Finally, he will demo the Unitree H12 platform's walking and control capabilities as well as discuss their current limitations.

At the end of the meeting, we'll assemble the speakers for a Q&A panel. Bring lots of questions!

We will have free pizza sponsored by John Eckhardt of BearPeak Technology Group! BearPeak Technology Group is a Boulder-based boutique consultancy that builds modern software with customer-first craftsmanship. We partner with ambitious companies to design, engineer, and scale digital products that work - elegant code, clean architecture, lasting impact. Our team blends startup agility with enterprise rigor to turn complex ideas into reliable systems. No fluff, no excuses - just outcomes that last.

Special thank you to Bobby Hodgkinson for arranging the meeting space! And big thanks to Dr. Nicolaus J Correll, Anuj Pasricha, Nabil Djaber, Chris Byrne, Daniel Ritchie and Dr. Alessandro Roncone for their generous assistance in planning and arranging this meeting.

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