By MC2 Michael Ehrlich

Associate Professor Timothy Chung and Lecturer Kristen Tsolis host the first meeting of NPS' Robotics Club in the Robo Dojo laboratory, Sept 30. The Robotics Club is looking to establish a community setting for students, faculty and staff to explore advancements in robotics and mechatronics.

"The Robo Dojo is an open community venue where people can gain real hands-on experiences, and collaborate with people from many different departments," said Tsolis. "So much research at NPS is stove-piped. We are providing a venue where people can meet, work together and learn from each other."

"We have had a lot of requests to work with schools and kids of all ages," added Chung. "There are already robotics clubs at several high schools; Monterey Peninsula College has begun a robotics curriculum, and CSUMB has a computer science club focused on robotics."

During his introduction to attendees, Chung described two goals he has high hopes for in the robotics club will create.

"I imagine this club could be a social opportunity to learn from their peers," said Chung. "The other area is to foster the mentality of tinkering and learning from the local hotspots we can touch base with.

"We are not that far from the biggest of tinker spaces, Silicon Valley. But, there are tech and space shops we have begun to establish really good relationships with, so we can look do those kinds of field trips as well."