University of West Florida gets $478K grant for robotics research
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — The University of West Florida's Institute for Human Machine & Cognition research team was awarded a $478,000 grant for 'the acquisition of advance robotics platforms,' according to a UWF news release.
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The grant will enable IHMC to buy specialized equipment from the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program of the Office of Naval Research, the release said.
UWF faculty members Dr. Robert Griffin, Dr. Matt Johnson, and Dr. Hakki Erhan Sevil worked together on the application process. Only 64 grants are reportedly awarded nationwide.
'The DURIP program equips universities to perform state-of-the-art research that boosts the nation's technological advantage, while ensuring that the future science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce remains second to none' Johnson said.
'We're looking forward to the next phase of this work, which will allow us to take our state-of-the-art robotic systems out of the lab and into the real world.'
'This award is a significant milestone for the Intelligent Systems and Robotics program and a reflection of the outstanding collaborative work between UWF and IHMC,' said Dr. Brent Venable, director of the ISR program. 'The continued support from the Office of Naval Research is instrumental in enabling cutting-edge research, and this new equipment will provide our students and faculty with the tools they need to lead in the field of robotics.
'We're proud to contribute to both scientific advancement and the growth of high-tech innovation in our region.'
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To learn more about the doctoral program in Intelligent Systems and Robotics at UWF, visit .
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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