As artificial intelligence makes the future, UMN researchers look to contribute

Twenty-five years ago, Nikos Papanikolopoulos started his work in the University of Minnesota's Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Vision lab. For the first five years, the lab researched and developed robotics that were largely unheard of. In 1997, his lab had its landmark moment, when the U.S. Military used his lab's Scout robot to survey dangerous war zones in lieu of humans. It built the lab's reputation into a national standout. Today, Papanikolopoulos and his lab are part of a rapidly emerging field of science fusing yesterday's unbelievable with today's uncharted -- artificial intelligence.