By Javier Chagoya

NPS Intern Emma Morgan uses a 3D printer at the newest and coolest lab on campus, the RoboDojo, during grand opening festivities, July 8.

NPS faculty, staff, students and interns crowded into the lab to build and program their own robots using an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Everyone also participated in the lab's ribbon cutting and snacked on ceremonial cake.

"I think the RoboDojo lab is a great idea, a great resource for learning basic robotics … and the 3D printers especially piqued my interest. My field of study will be in prosthetics development, and I can see the benefit of prototyping using this technology," said Morgan, who will be a senior this fall at Robert Louis Stevenson School.

Lab Director, NPS Department of Defense Analysis Lecturer Kristen Tsolis, seized the opportunity to invite NPS tinkerers from all backgrounds and abilities to explore robotics through hands-on experiences.

"The MakerSpace or RoboDojo lab offers a rich array of tools, space and hands-on training to conceive, design, fabricate, implement and observe the creation and integration of robotics technologies," she said. "I can see all NPS students with a variety of backgrounds coming here to be creative and expand their knowledge of robotics."

For more information, visit the RoboDojo website at http://nps.edu/web/RoboDojo or e-mail robodojo@nps.edu.