Faculty and students from the School of Computer Science offered U.S. President Joseph R. Biden a glimpse during the president's visit Friday to Carnegie Mellon University of how robots and humans might work together to transform the future of manufacturing.

Changliu Liu, an assistant professor at the Robotics Institute, and her doctoral students Rui Chen and Ruixuan Liu demonstrated a robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) sensing system designed to create safe working environments. The technology could revolutionize human-robot collaboration and has the potential to enable flexible and multipurpose assembly lines. 

Biden visited CMU's advanced manufacturing research facilities at Mill 19 in Pittsburgh and engaged with faculty and students to learn about projects that will revolutionize industry. His remarks during the visit highlighted his administration's efforts to strengthen the nation's supply chains, revitalize American manufacturing and create good-paying union jobs.

"Right here in Pittsburgh the future is being built on the foundation of this city's storied past. The manufacturing resurgence we're seeing today is no accident. It takes local leaders, federal leaders, foundations, businesses, unions and universities all pulling together," Biden said. "It requires a mindset like you have here at Mill 19. Here's what I mean by that. Generations ago, Mill 19 used to roll out 10-inch steel bars. Today, it rolls out the latest innovation in advanced manufacturing, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence."

CMU President Farnam Jahanian and student leaders greeted Biden upon his arrival, and Jahanian highlighted the university's boundary-pushing initiatives in science and technology. Later, Jahanian welcomed dignitaries and national media as part of the program ahead of the president's speech.

"Mill 19 is a fitting location for President Biden's address on strengthening the national supply chain and revitalizing U.S. manufacturing," Jahanian said during his remarks. "Today, Mill 19 is where CMU and its partners are catalyzing discoveries in the essential components of 21st century manufacturing. 

Read more about Biden's visit and CMU's efforts to revolutionize manufacturing on the CMU News site.