One of the best-kept secrets on Christian Brothers University’s campus is about to exit from the shadows. The CBU Robotics Club, a.k.a. Robotic Homies, launched in September 2024 and is growing slowly through word of mouth.
The group is led by Dr. Peter (Phuc) Bui, a professor in the Engineering Technology Program. Most of the members are undergraduates or graduate students in the School of Engineering, but it’s not a prerequisite. All majors and levels are welcome, and all can be successful.
“We have decreased the emphasis on theory and increased the focus on hands-on experience,” said Dr. Bui. “If you don’t have great math skills, it’s OK. You can still thrive in the Engineering Technology program and in the Robotics Club.”
Robotics is a great discipline because it combines mechanical engineering, electronic engineering and computer science. As students graduate into a workforce where technology is rapidly changing, they are finding that more and more companies want to hire employees who are familiar with robotics and automation.
“In industry today, most companies use robots and automatic machines to improve production and reduce costs,” said Dr. Bui. “Companies use robots to manipulate car parts. On assembly lines, robots are used for welding and painting. There is a demand for a workforce that is skilled in automation.”
Currently, the club is learning how to program robotic arms. Next semester, the group will work on small, mobile robots that can follow lines on the ground, and next year, they plan to incorporate larger robots and participate in competitions sponsored by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Want to learn more about the CBU Robotics Club? Be on the lookout for members sporting a CBU Robotics Club T-shirt (look for the robotic arm logo) and follow the group on their new Instagram account, @cburoboticclub. Dr. Bui is eager to get the word out and encourage more students to participate. He can be reached at dbui@cbu.edu or at the Nolan Engineering Center, Room 103.
