If you stopped by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) during the winter break, you might have seen little white box-shaped robots scurrying across the campus walkways.
These robots, also known as “DAX” robots were introduced to UTEP Dec. 15, 2024. Their purpose–was not to follow students around, or take over campus, but to simply collect data on our campus walkways. As they roll around Centennial Plaza or other locations, they are gathering data and looking for ways to make our walkways more accessible.
According to UTEP’s newsfeed, these robots will use the data collected from their scans to create a measurable photogrammetry-like 3D voxel output, or virtual map, of exactly which areas on campus need extra attention for improvements.
According to daxbotada.com, these robots can identify uplifts, running slopes, cracking, vertical obstructions, cross slopes, settling, fixed obstructions, roughness, vegetation obstructions and so much more.
Clinical laboratory science and psychology student Bridget Lindsey doesn’t mind the rise in technology on campus.
“If it [robots] help, I don’t really see any problems with it,” Lindsey said.
When it comes to combining the worlds of technology with issues of accessibility, there are several important considerations when working with technologists and engineers to develop solutions on campus.
One of the most important, as Lindsey describes, is to learn from the source.
“Try to get opinions from people who will be impacted, like people with disabilities. Focus on what they say since they have firsthand experience of what it’s like on campus.” Lindsey said.
Dax robots were founded in Oregon in 2015 by two brothers. According to daxbot.com, the goal of the project was to “create a robot to fit into our human experience, rather than see the continuation of robots that influence human spaces to be more robotic.”
These robots are also designed with the intention of looking “people-oriented,” with facial features like a neck and two computer eyes. Equipped with a feature that allows it to tilt its head and smile at you, described by daxbot.com as “the only urban robot that operates this way.”
Technology is constantly being developed and growing increasingly fast across the globe and UTEP is no exception to the ever-changing world we live in. “There is a lot of increasing technology around the world and country so I don’t see why it wouldn’t be on campus.” Lindsey said.
For now, it seems current and future miners may have to get comfortable with sharing campus with these futuristic friends.
Vianah Vasquez is a writer contributor and may be reached at [email protected].