Two agile robots moved toward a pile of sand, picked up a heap and officially broke ground for a new robotics test facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg Friday.
The facility will enable researchers to better develop and test robots designed to assist first responders who operate on land, air and water. The Response Robotics Test Facility will increase NIST’s capabilities for testing the performance of robots used in search and rescue operations, bomb disposal and other public safety emergencies.
It is expected to open in 2025.
Federal, state and local officials attended the groundbreaking.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin called it “a great day,” and declared NIST and its employees “one of the greatest assets on Team USA.”
Added U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, “NIST is a really at the heart of our mission to maintain and sharpen our technological edge.”
Gaithersburg Councilmember Jim McNulty and Md. Del. Ryan Spiegel speak with U.S. Sen Ben Cardin at NIST's groundbreaking for its new robot facility Friday morning @mymcmedia @GburgMD pic.twitter.com/xo2yhTPXw0
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) October 27, 2023
