U of I Coeur d'Alene offers new tech programs, gives first demo of educational robot

COEUR d’ALENE — Robots aren't so useful without their human counterparts to program them.

"Do you know what the first rule of robotics is? Robots are dumb," said John Shovic, a computer science professor with the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene. "No matter what they look like, they're not smart, they're not intelligent and you have to tell them everything to do. A student will say, 'Go pick up that cup of coffee.' That might be 150 computer instructions, and that doesn't even talk about how hard it is for computers and robots to see."

The University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene is offering cyber security and industrial technology programs to give computer science students more opportunities as they pursue higher education. On these academic journeys, students receive hands-on training with futuristic technologies like industrial robots. These degrees build on two-year computer science degrees students can earn while at NIC, with abilities to concurrently enroll.

“Not only can you get your bachelor’s degree in computer science in Coeur d’Alene, or in cyber security, you can also get your master’s and PhDs," Shovic said. "That’s very important for people working out there in the industry in the Coeur d’Alene-Spokane greater area.”

In the Venture Center on the North Idaho College campus Wednesday, Shovic discussed the importance of these educational pathways as he gave a demonstration of the university's new FANUC robot, a $450,000, 800-pound industrial robot donated to the UI from Boeing.

"Most robots don't look like this. This is a robotic arm," he said, gesturing to the machine in the cage behind him. "Most robots look like other things; a robotic car doesn't look like a robotic arm. One of my favorite examples of a computer and an actuator. Well, guess what? Your toaster is a robot. It's got a computer in it, the bagel button and all that, and it pops up the toast. There you go."

About a dozen teachers from across North Idaho attended the demonstration to see the new robot, hear about the new programs and to reinforce how even the youngest students can be working toward college and career goals.

Greensferry Elementary fifth-grade teacher Danielle Kisler said she attended because of the "relevancy for my students."

"Even in fifth grade, they want to know, how does this apply to them? Why is this important? Why do I need to know math," she said. "We've just done a lot of prodding into employers as far as what are they looking for in employees to help our students be ready for a career and be thinking about what kind of skills we can bring into the classroom to make them successful in the future because, ultimately, career-readiness is really important."

The new cyber security bachelor’s degree at UI is the first of its kind in the state and will be available to students in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls and Moscow.

"It's a great growing field," Shovic said. "We're thrilled to offer the degree."

The industrial technology degree, which had previously only been offered at UI Idaho Falls, will be offered starting this fall.

And the robot, which has yet to be named, will serve as a learning tool for students to prepare for what their futures could very well include as they carve their paths in the ever-changing and improving world of computer science.

"It's especially cool to do it here with NIC and reinforce that partnership, which has really been effective," said Charles Buck, associate vice president and executive officer for UI Coeur d'Alene. "I think it's going to become a destination program, in part because we have instruments like this.

"To transition to this industrial robot that has so much power and capability, you really have more of a continuum of what can happen in terms of training."