Colubris Networks, the leading global provider of intelligent wireless LANs (WLANs) for enterprises and service providers, today announced that it is donating a Colubris WLAN Client Bridge 200 (WCB-200) to IIT FIRST Robotics, the robotics club at Illinois Institute of Technology, for use in the 20th Annual AMD Jerry Sanders Creative Design Competition. The design competition is held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on March 9-10, 2007.
The AMD Jerry Sanders Design Competition features 150-pound remote controlled robots that will compete against each other to retrieve hula hoops and Frisbees and score them in specific time-alternating goals. IIT FIRST Robotics will use the Colubris WCB-200 to wirelessly connect control and video feeds from its robot to the operator. The video system will let the robot operator see what the robot is “seeing” – giving the operator greater control over manipulating the objects. The control feed will let the operator receive real-time diagnostic data, which gives complete feedback from the robot’s internal systems at all times.
“The Colubris WCB-200 will enable us to implement a reliable, wireless and mobile control and vision system and give us an edge in this competition,” said Christopher Jones, vice president of philanthropy for IIT FIRST Robotics. “Colubris’ WCB provides a unique combination of connectivity and mobility features that provide wireless connectivity to our operator’s computer even as the robot is moving around and performing its tasks.”
The IIT FIRST application is a good example of how Colubris customers in the manufacturing industry use the product – enabling robots and mobile machinery to move freely across an open space while maintaining broadband network communication. Its rugged metal enclosure stands up to hostile environments and strong AES security protects all communications.
The Colubris WCB-200 provides the world’s simplest way to deliver wireless connectivity to legacy or specialized equipment that offers only serial or Ethernet ports. Using the WCB-200, organizations can quickly and securely attach printers, manufacturing equipment and other devices that lack native wireless support, to their networks wherever a WLAN signal is available. The WCB-200 is part of the Colubris Intelligent Mobility System, which is used by enterprises and service providers to create a comprehensive multiservice wireless networking infrastructure.
“By using our wireless client bridge to serve as the connector between the robot and its operator, IIT FIRST’s use of Colubris in this competition demonstrates an innovative use of wireless technology,” said Chris Koeneman, co-president of Colubris. “We are excited to be working with IIT FIRST on this project and helping students become more familiar with and excited about technology.”
In addition to taking part in the AMD Jerry Sanders Design Competition, the IIT FIRST robot will be making appearances at other FIRST events and will be used at high schools to help inspire students to enter the math and technology fields.
More information on the 20th Annual AMD Jerry Sanders Creative Design Competition can by found by visiting http://dc.cen.uiuc.edu/.
About Colubris
Colubris Networks is the leading global provider of intelligent wireless networks (WLANs) for enterprises and service providers. Its optimized WLAN switching systems deliver unmatched bandwidth efficiency, seamless mobility and secure, easy access for more than 1,500 organizations and 40 million users worldwide. Its systems unify and integrate with existing network infrastructures, security and management systems and provide “future-proof” investment protection as standards evolve and user populations grow. Colubris’ numerous recognitions include Red Herring’s top 100 private companies in North America, Fierce Wireless Fierce 15 and Mobile Trax Mobility Award.
