TRGS fulfilled the requirements for Exemplary Status in the Pillars of the Forty Acres program. To achieve this, student organizations must complete one activity that fulfills each of the University’s six Core Values.
Join TRGS on February 9th (3:30-4:30 pm in the AHG Seminar Room) for this invited talk by Dr. Elliott Hauser and Dr. Samantha Shorey from Good Systems!
“Loose Threads” is a collaborative conversation that engages participants in imagining and redesigning the systems where technology is embedded. What are the compromises, considered actions and embedded values we impart on the path to automation? How might we hold open the possibility of meaningful work at its edge?
The elimination of human labor underlies many conversations about automation. Yet, every innovation begets new types of work that are constituent of its success. Situated at the human-technology frontier, there are new jobs made possible by automation. Kevin Kelly, the founding editor of Wired, calls these the jobs that “machines dream up.” Here human collaboration and oversight increases, not decreases, in value. Yet, this oversight can come at a grueling cost. Dystopian futures are already present in the seemingly automated places where human hands still assemble the iPhone and human eyes moderate online content. When we look more closely at automated processes, we begin to see both the glimmering and dark future of technology work.
Last week, TRGS hosted a student social to gather and watch a wintry movie (Star Wars V). Students enjoyed snacks, viewed the movie, and created files for laser-cut ornaments.
In November, TRGS visited Apptronik, an Austin-based robotics startup founded by UT alums. We got to check out some of their latest projects, from robotic arms to humanoids. In the spirit of the Halloween season, we even encountered a few (exo-) skeletons! TRGS is very grateful to Apptronik for the opportunity to visit, and for Apptronik’s continued relationship with Texas Robotics.
TRGS aims to bring students on a tour of a local robotics company once per semester. Who should we visit next? Please reach out to us on Slack with your ideas!
TRGS celebrated Robootics (wordplay shamelessly stolen from John Duncan) with fall treats and a costume competition! We had very creative entries and it was difficult for our esteemed panel of judges to select winners.
1st Place – Lilo by Sheela and Jeff from ARTS
2nd Place – Demodog by Christina and Daniel from NRG
TRGS members gathered on a Friday (September 30th) to eat tacos and battle each other on some trivia, including some lesser-known facts about robotics professors. Can you guess who has two cats, who LOVES tacos, and who speaks multiple languages?
TRGS invited students to Eastwoods Park for food and games on October 1st. Students learned Spikeball, ate sandwiches from Schlotzsky’s, and socialized. Thank you for joining us – we were thrilled to have y’all!
TRGS hosted its annual Ice Cream Social on Aug. 31, 2022. Texas Robotics graduate students and faculty took a break from their work and enjoyed an opportunity to socialize and enjoy ice cream sponsored by TRGS. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
As you all know, TRGS is a young organization at UT. This was our first year organizing events and figuring out how to best serve our members. Now that the 2021-2022 academic year is coming to a close, it’s time for our first ever elections! This message serves as a call for nominations for those who are interested in becoming part of the organization board. Nominations can be submitted through this form till the 26th of April, 2022. Elections will begin on the 29th of April, 2022 to give nominees a chance to confirm their interest. We plan to announce the final election results on May 6th.