FIU-ARC hosted the inaugural Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Workshop for Nuclear Decommissioning

Miami, Florida

April 30, 2024

The Applied Research Center (ARC) at Florida International University (FIU) hosted the inaugural Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Workshop for Nuclear Decommissioning.  The workshop got started with welcoming remarks from FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing (Dr. Ines Triay, Interim Dean), and FIU’s ARC (Dr. Leo Lagos, Director of Research), as well as Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management official (Mr. Rodrigo Rimando).

The workshop was attended by DOE-EM, DOE National labs (Savannah River, Idaho, Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, and Sandia), DOE contractors (UCOR, WRPS), Army Corp of Engineer, Department of Defense (DOT&E), FIU staff, faculty and students, Georgia Tech, IHMC, State/community Colleges, and private industry.

Robotic and Artificial Intelligence Workshop at Florida International University –Group photo

The first day was dedicated to exploring current and future technical challenges being experienced at federal agencies (DOE and Army Corp of Engineers) and across the globe from the perspective of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA).

The second day addressed some of the technical solutions being developed and implemented at DOE sites, DOE national labs and DOE contractors, and other federal agencies such as the Army Corp of Engineers and Department of Defense.

The third day was dedicated to the presentation of several international projects being conducted at the IAEA, Germany, Norway, and South Korea. A discussion of workforce development needs and opportunities was also showcased during a panel represented by DOE EM Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP), State/community colleges (Broward College and Indian River State College) as well as FIU’s DOE Fellows program.

The workshop also included the inauguration of FIU’s Technology Innovation Hub: Applied Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. The new facility will serve as a focal point for robotics and AI research being conducted for DOE-EM, other federal agencies, private industry, and international partners. The facility will also serve as a training and education center for STEM students interested in R&D these areas.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Left to right: Rod Rimando (DOE-EM), Dr. Himanshu Upadhyay (Associate Professor Electrical Eng.), Dr. Heather Russell, FIU Office of the Provost), Dr. Ines Triay (Interim Dean, FIU College of Eng.), Dr. Leo Lagos (Director of Research – Applied Research Center, Associate Professor – Moss Department of Construction Management)

The cutting ribbon ceremony was followed by lab tours of the new inaugurated research facility, as well as other labs at FIU’s Applied Research Center supporting DOE EM and DOE Office of Legacy Management applied research as part of the Cooperative Agreement between DOE and FIU (No. DE-EM0005213).

FIU ARC’s Research Scientist, Anthony Abrahao, presenting during the lab tour at ARC.

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