‘Nilanjan Sarkar’
Robot-guided video game prompts peer interaction among older adults
Mar. 18, 2019—Two residents of Elmcroft Senior Living sat side-by-side facing a large screen, raising their hands in tandem as watch-style devices on their wrists controlled the avatars in front of them. Every so often, a squat little robot off to the side would remind them the object of the game: Get your avatar’s books into the...
Sarkar named chair of mechanical engineering department
May. 30, 2018—Nilanjan Sarkar has been named chair of the mechanical engineering department at Vanderbilt University. Sarkar is a professor of mechanical engineering and computer engineering. He is recognized as an expert in robotics, including developing robotic and computer technology that can aid individuals with disabilities. Sarkar succeeds Professor Robert Pitz who remains a faculty member. Pitz...
Engineers develop technologies to make autism treatment more effective, accessible
Apr. 17, 2018—April is National Autism Awareness Month A recent CDC announcement reports that one in 88 children have an Autism Spectrum Disorder, up from one in 110 released in 2009. ASD refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and...
‘Smart cane’ could help flag falling risks more quickly
Feb. 13, 2018—Two Vanderbilt engineers have developed an instrumented cane that can analyze gait to determine the risk of falling while still providing support. Nilanjan Sarkar, professor of mechanical and computer engineering, says the “IntelliCane” can quantitatively calculate falling risk as accurately as a physical therapist can with their own eyes. Dizziness and balance problems are significant...
Vanderbilt joins 40 academic partners to create, deploy robotic technology in critical manufacturing sectors
Apr. 25, 2017—Vanderbilt University is one of 40 academic partners in a new robotics manufacturing institute in Pittsburgh that will be funded with $80 million from the Department of Defense and $173 million in matching funds from more than 200 participating partners, including companies, local governments, academic and nonprofit organizations. The Defense Department awarded the contract to...
Congressional staff visits include Vanderbilt engineering labs
Sep. 9, 2016—Professor of Mechanical Engineering Nilanjan Sarkar (center), accompanied by Ph.D. students Dayi Bian (second from right) and Jian Fan (far right), shows Kayla McMurry (far left) and Mackensie Burt (second from left) from Sen. Lamar Alexander’s staff the simulator that he developed with researchers at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to help teenagers with autism learn...
Professor Sarkar elected ASME Fellow
Oct. 30, 2014—Nilanjan Sarkar, mechanical engineering professor and professor of electrical engineering and computer science, has been elected a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a distinction awarded to ASME members who have made significant engineering achievements. He is one of only 3,335 Fellows out of 127,651 ASME members. Sarkar is recognized as an expert...
Russell the Robot goes to Washington
May. 16, 2014—Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) interacts with Russell while Profs. Sarkar and Warren, look on. Fattah is the ranking Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee that funds the National Science Foundation. (Charles Votaw/APA) On May 7, Russell the Robot was engaging the movers and shakers on Capitol Hill. Normally, the two-foot humanoid robot acts as the front...