From robots to rescue, applied sciences faculty shares innovations

Autonomous robots, computerized special effects, and a vehicle capable of delivering emergency communications anywhere in the province are just some examples of innovative ideas taking shape in SFU's faculty of applied sciences.

They'll all be on display at the faculty's open house on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Applied Sciences building on the Burnaby campus.

The event will showcase the faculty's six schools, including communication, computing science, engineering science, kinesiology, interactive arts and technology (housed at SFU's Surrey campus) and resource and environmental management. It will feature research projects as well as offer hands-on mini projects.

Highlights will include an animation theatre, featuring short, animated movies created by fourth-year computer animation students.

Visitors can also learn the basic concepts of computer graphics by modelling their names with 3D software, or watch a demonstration of the new emergency communication vehicle, designed and developed by members of the faculty's telematics lab to provide mobile assistance to remote communities during a disaster.