Robots, geeky tech a hit in Downtown Brooklyn
2013 World Science Festival draws crowds to MetroTech
- Mary Frost for brooklyneagle.com June 4th, 2013
- Source: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/robots-geeky-tech-hit-downtown-brooklyn-2013-06-04-211700
Downtown Brooklyn got geeky on Saturday as the World Science Festival took over NYU-Poly’s MetroTech campus and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Walking, talking and swimming robots, 3D printers, intelligent lighting, video games and other gadgets fascinated crowds of technology fans milling through MetroTech Commons and inside NYU-Poly halls.
Organizers say the crowds at the event demonstrate the growing importance of technology in Brooklyn’s “Tech Triangle” –- Downtown (anchored by NYU-Poly), DUMBO and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Children were fascinated by “Caesar,” an “assistive robotics” head by Inno/vention with expressive eyes that look for people and follow them around. “He greets people by name and engages them in conversation,” said Jarek Frank, a PhD student at NYU-Poly. Caesar will get a body in a year or two, Frank said, and eventually may assist the disabled and elderly.
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