Future of Robotics program taught, entertained people at JFK Library

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John Brown, Supervisor of Reality Capture at General Motors, operates Spot at a recent robotics program at John F. Kennedy, Jr, Library in Dearborn Heights. The robotic dog is used in a number of manufacturing applications and proved to be a popular attraction for elementary and middle school-aged kids at the event. (Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Library)

How do you keep a small group of elementary and middle school students focused and out of mischief for more than two hours?  A pre-holiday visit to the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library in Dearborn Heights provided some fun and entertaining answers.

“The Future of Robotics” program on Nov. 20 drew such an enthusiastic response from local kids and their parents that a second event was added the following day.  Participants learned about the fascinating world of drones and virtual reality, and how automation continues to transform global manufacturing and other business sectors.

  • John Brown, Supervisor of Reality Capture at General Motors, operates Spot at a recent robotics program at John F. Kennedy, Jr, Library in Dearborn Heights. The robotic dog is used in a number of manufacturing applications and proved to be a popular attraction for elementary and middle school-aged kids at the event. (Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Library)

  • Donald Cain was one of the more enthused participants in “The Future of Robotics” event. The nine-year-old Dearborn Heights resident has shown a keen interest in robotics since the age of three. His mother said he loves to build things and is in the process of starting a YouTube channel to teach others his age about robotics. (Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Library)

  • Young robotics fans watch as a drone hovers above them recently at the John F. Kennedy, Jr., Library. The drone, operated by Downriver-based Drone Camp Rebels, was shown that while it can appear to be a toy, users should operate it wisely. Owner Jay Williams raffled off drones following his presentation. (Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Library)

  • Drone Camp Rebels owner Jay Williams topped off “The Future of Robotics” event on Nov. 20 by appearing in costume as a stormtrooper from “Star Wars.” Williams posed for pictures with kids and adults at the program, whose popularity prompted the event to be repeated the following day. (Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Library

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The hit of the event was Spot, a dog-shaped mobile robot whose agility makes it a popular tool for terrain navigation, building inspection, and other needs.  Made by Boston Dynamics – which operates under the Hyundai portfolio – Spot mimicked its furry, four-legged cousins during a portion of the program, much to the delight of the young audience.

Despite its name and appearance, however, Spot is definitely not a toy.

“This thing has a lot of upside to it,” said John Brown, Supervisor of Reality Capture at General Motors and Spot’s handler.  “We send (Spot) into buildings and areas of buildings where we don’t want to put people in danger, like confined spaces, areas where there are potential issues with fumes, things like that.”

The easy-to-control, programmable robot can carry up to about 30 pounds of inspection equipment, Brown added.  GM and Ford are among the local companies that use Spot for a variety of applications.

Jay Williams, a licensed remote pilot and owner of Downriver-based Drone Camp Rebels, further enthralled the audience by turning their aerial imaginations into reality with his drone.  He also raffled off DJI Iron Man Tello drones and later posed for pictures dressed as a Star Wars stormtrooper.

Williams stressed that while drones can be perceived as toys, they are not to be treated or used as such.


“When operating a drone, you need a flight plan, first and foremost,” he said.  “You also need a spotter, someone who is watching the flight path of the drone as you fly it.  Your spotter can tell you if you’re too close to a tree or a house.  A second spotter in another area is good, too, for additional safety.”

Soaking in every moment of the event was Donald Cain, a nine-year-old Polk Elementary School student.  The District 7 fourth grader is fascinated with robots, loves building things, and is in the process of launching a YouTube channel aimed at his contemporaries with similar interests.

His mother, Kanika, said her son showed an interest in mechanics at the age of three, and he hasn’t looked back.

“When he was four, he took a test for the gifted and talented program and he said he wanted to build robots,” she said.  “As he aged, he said the same thing.  It never changed.  So, giving him this opportunity to see how robots actually work, to see how they’re used in industry, how we’re using them to make lives better for people, makes me happy for him.”

Library organizers were more than pleased with the response to the event and are planning another one in the spring.

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