Some of Canada’s top high-tech researchers provided a taste of UBC’s internationally recognized research into animation, artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics technology at today’s official opening of the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems / Computer Science (ICICS/CS) Addition.
Almost $40 million in federal and provincial funding went into the seven-storey addition to be shared by ICICS and the UBC Dept. of Computer Science.
“The ICICS/CS Addition is the result of extraordinary efforts by members of both ICICS and the UBC Dept. of Computer Science,” UBC President Martha Piper said at the opening.
“The additional space and equipment support the vision of multi-disciplinary, human-centered technology research, and provide British Columbians with greater access to higher education in information technology-related areas.”
Designed specifically to enhance and expand multidisciplinary collaborations, the new ICICS labs feature over-height ceilings and state-of-the-art equipment to accommodate a wide range of research projects. Major research areas include computer animation, artificial intelligence, physical measurement and motion capture, and vision-enabled autonomous robotics — all of which were showcased at the opening (see below for demo details).
Funding for the ICICS side of the addition came from an $8.8 million grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI); $8.2 million from the BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF); and a $2.6 million donation from Dr. Stewart and Mrs. Marilyn Blusson. Major in-kind donations also came from Nortel Networks Inc. and Partners for the Advancement of Engineering Education (PACE).
“We commend UBC and the project leaders for their vision and commitment to building this powerful and innovative facility,” says Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. “The new ICICS research facility is an impressive example of what the CFI is all about: providing the tools to institutions and researchers so that they can do the leading-edge research that will benefit all Canadians.”
The expanded ICICS/CS space and the adjoining Hugh Dempster Pavilion — which houses lecture halls and classrooms — enable the Dept. of Computer Science to unify teaching and administrative functions in a centralized location on campus for the first time since its inception in 1968. They also provide new research and learning space to accommodate the department’s extraordinary growth in the past decade.
The Dept. of Computer Science currently has 865 undergraduate students, 185 graduate students and 56 faculty. Undergraduate enrollment has tripled since 1995.
A provincial government Double the Opportunity (DTO) grant of $17.6 million funded the computer science side of the ICICS/CS Addition and the Hugh Dempster Pavilion.
“The expanded ICICS/CS space is an important addition to UBC,” said Minister for Advanced Education Murray Coell. “Government supports innovative research of this unique calibre as it is good for the province and good for the economy.”
Opening ceremonies were followed by a series of demonstrations:
- Physics-based animation: a groundbreaking software module that creates physically accurate and natural-looking animation of fluid movement with the click of a button. Similar software developed by the same researcher has been used in Star Wars II and the Harry Potter movie series.
- Motion capture lab: a leading-edge lab for improving human measurement and motion capture technology. A volunteer in a motion sensor demonstrated technology similar to that used to create the movements of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
- Motion Doodle: research conducted in the Motion capture has enabled the creation of an innovative software that animates any character you draw according to real-life human movements. A movie clip demonstrating the software is available at http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~van/papers/ani-sig2004-doodle/doodle.mov
- Mechanical Jaw: with applications in dentistry, orthodontics, speech and communications research, this portable mechanical jaw, coupled with 3D simulation software, is capable of accurately simulating the human jaw in all six directions. To request a photo of the mechanical jaw, please contact sharmini@exchange.ubc.ca.
- Vision-enabled robots: this UBC-developed technology enables robots to see and assess their surroundings. The technology has been licensed by SONY for the latest version of AIBO, the robotic dog , which recognizes and obeys commands printed on cards. Both AIBO and more advanced robots will be featured. For information on AIBO, visit http://www.sony.net/Products/aibo/
Background
The Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS)
With 138 faculty members and more than 700 Master and PhD students from 18 UBC departments, ICICS is the largest non-health science interdisciplinary research group at UBC and one of the best in the world.
Renowned for its leading-edge, interdisciplinary research in human communication technologies and global information systems, ICICS is home to one of the largest interactive rear projection screens in the world. State-of-the-art equipment, specially-designed lab spaces, and a unique Open Media Environment help researchers explore new ways for people to experience future technology.
The Dept. of Computer Science
The UBC Dept. of Computer Science is internationally recognized for its leadership in interdisciplinary research and programs. In the past decade, the Department has grown significantly to include 56 faculty, 185 graduate students, and 900 undergraduate students. Fifteen new faculty members were recruited in the last two years alone.
Renowned for its strengths in artificial intelligence and robotics, the Department has also built one of the strongest graphics and animation research groups in North America. Its Software Practices research group is also considered the leading lab in the world for Aspect Oriented Programming.
Double the Opportunity Initiative (DTO)
In 2002, Premier Gordon Campbell announced the Double the Opportunity Initiative that provided funding to create a total of 3,400 new high-tech student spaces over a period of five years as his commitment to double the number of graduates in computer science, electrical, and computer engineering.
Aimed at increasing access to post-secondary education in the high-tech sector, a total of $150 million over five years was to be shared amongst four universities, five university colleges and BCIT to cover one-time equipment and startup costs related to program expansion.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI’s mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.
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