JU's Robot Studio Puts Students at the Forefront of AI and Automation

JACKSONVILLE, FL – April 22, 2026 – Jacksonville University (JU) and automation engineering firm Chang Robotics are deepening their partnership by relocating the Chang Robotics Robot Studio to the heart of the university's academic innovation hub, the STEAM Institute. The move represents a significant evolution of their collaboration, embedding a live industrial robotics environment directly within the student body and creating an unprecedented pipeline for developing talent in artificial intelligence, automation, and engineering.

Originally launched in October 2024 within JU's Health Sciences Complex, the Robot Studio has already served as a critical site for programming and testing advanced robots for real-world deployment. The facility's relocation to the STEAM Institute, which houses JU's Engineering, Computing Sciences, and Design programs, is a strategic decision designed to dissolve the remaining barriers between academic theory and industry practice.

A New Nexus for Interdisciplinary Innovation

The new home for the Robot Studio is no ordinary academic building. Jacksonville University's 30,000-square-foot STEAM Institute, which opened in August 2023 following a multi-million dollar renovation, was conceived as a crucible for interdisciplinary collaboration. It brings together students and faculty from a wide array of fields—including mechanical and electrical engineering, cybersecurity, data science, animation, and visual design—under one roof. The facility boasts state-of-the-art resources, including a CyberRange simulation training center, a FinTech Lab, and immersive learning studios for virtual reality content creation.

Placing the Robot Studio within this dynamic environment is intended to spark cross-pollination. Engineering students designing robotic hardware can now collaborate seamlessly with computing science majors developing AI algorithms and design students focusing on human-robot interaction. The studio's new location adjacent to the university's CyberRange also signals a forward-thinking approach, positioning it as a hub for research into secure and resilient robotic systems, a critical concern as automated technology becomes more integrated into society.

“When students can walk down the hall and collaborate with engineers building the next generation of autonomous systems, they’re not just learning, they’re shaping the future of technology in real time,” said Dr. Lisa Sutherland, interim dean of the Davis College of Business & Technology. “This expanded STEAM Institute partnership accelerates what’s possible by connecting students to cutting-edge discovery, interdisciplinary problem-solving and career-ready skills.”

From Classroom to Career: Forging the Next-Gen Workforce

A central goal of the expanded partnership is to directly address the growing skills gap in the technology sector. As industries from healthcare to manufacturing increasingly adopt automation, the demand for engineers and developers who can design, deploy, and manage these complex systems has skyrocketed. This collaboration moves beyond traditional internships, embedding students directly into the workflow of an active engineering firm.

“We're collectively engaging more with the student body through this move,” said Kate McAfoose, P.E., President of Chang Robotics. “Placing the Robot Studio inside the engineering building means students aren't just visiting our work; they're embedded in it. This kind of access is how you build the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers who are prepared for the workforce on day one.”

Students will work alongside Chang Robotics engineers on projects with real-world stakes, programming and testing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) destined for deployment in hospital networks and industrial environments. This experience will equip them with practical skills in high-demand areas like the Robot Operating System (ROS), Python and C++ programming, machine learning for robot perception, and systems integration. This hands-on engagement provides a level of career readiness that is difficult to achieve in a purely academic setting.

A Catalyst for Jacksonville's Technological Growth

The impact of this partnership extends beyond the university campus, positioning it as a key driver of regional economic development. By creating a steady pipeline of highly skilled graduates, JU and Chang Robotics are helping to cultivate a robust local workforce, a primary factor for tech companies considering expansion or relocation. Local economic development leaders have previously noted that facilities like the JU STEAM Institute are a critical tool for recruiting new businesses to the Northeast Florida region.

This collaboration serves as a powerful model for how public-private partnerships can foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem. The R&D activities within the Robot Studio could lead to new intellectual property and commercialization opportunities, potentially sparking spin-off companies and attracting further investment into Jacksonville's burgeoning tech sector. It creates a 'brain gain' effect, attracting top-tier students and faculty to the area and providing compelling reasons for them to remain after graduation.

“This expansion reflects what this partnership has always been about: connecting students to real-world innovation,” said Bill Hill, Executive Director of Jacksonville University's STEAM Institute. “Chang Robotics and Jacksonville University are shaping this together. Our students aren't observing finished work, they're contributing to systems being built for real-world deployment. That's a level of hands-on engagement most undergraduates never get.”

Engineering the Future of Human-Robot Collaboration

At the core of the work being done is a human-centric philosophy of automation. Chang Robotics, a DBE-certified firm founded in 2017, identifies with the principles of 'Factory 5.0,' an evolution of industrial automation that emphasizes collaboration between humans and machines. This approach prioritizes using technology to augment human capabilities, enhance safety, and improve job satisfaction.

The AMRs being developed in the studio are a prime example. In simulated healthcare and factory environments, these robots can be observed transporting supplies and handling repetitive logistical tasks. The goal is not to replace human workers but to free them from mundane duties, allowing nurses to spend more time on patient-facing care and factory workers to focus on higher-value, safety-critical work. The partnership is therefore not just about building robots, but about thoughtfully considering their role in society and designing systems that enhance human productivity and well-being.

As students and engineers work side-by-side in the new Robot Studio, they are not only building the next generation of autonomous systems but also defining the principles that will guide their integration into our world.